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On Tennessee’s final offensive play against Alabama, QB Joshua Dobbs was sacked, fumbling the football with 1:18 seconds remaining. Alabama recovered the football, and just like that, Tennessee’s upset chance was wasted.
With a 19-14 win over the Volunteers on Saturday, Alabama’s fans stayed true to its tradition of lighting sweet-smelling cigars after wins over Tennessee.
Alabama has now won the last nine meetings between these two teams, but unlike most of those games, this one wasn’t a mismatch. If not for three missed field-goal attempts, Tennessee might have pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the year.
When will the Vols snap their losing streak to Alabama? Why not next season in Knoxville?
The Vols weren’t expected to compete with Alabama last Saturday. Tennessee entered the game as a 15.5-point underdog, and prior to kickoff, coach Butch Jones announced that two of his starting offensive lineman would miss the game due to injury. They were replaced by two true freshmen.
But Tennessee hung tough, taking the lead in the fourth quarter. The patchwork offensive line did a great job with its run blocking assignments, and allowed RB Jalen Hurd to rush for 92 yards and a touchdown.
The Vols defense kept Alabama’s offense in check, sacking Alabama QB Jake Coker five times and holding the Crimson Tide offense to five third-down conversions on 12 attempts.
Tennessee showed how far it had come during Jones’ three seasons as coach, and how close it is to winning these types of games. Several of Jones’ most-talented recruits will be junior and seniors next season.
The Vols are close. Their losses to Alabama, Florida and Arkansas were by a combined 10 points. The loss to No. 14 Oklahoma was in overtime.
Next year, will be Tennessee’s best shot to beat Alabama in a long time. Its offensive line should be better. Its rushing attack should be even more dangerous. Its defensive line should produce more sacks. And Aaron Medley might make a field-goal attempt.
Chase Erickson is a contributing writer for SDS. He covers Tennessee. Follow him on Twitter @ChaseDownField.
