Alabama went to Knoxville needing a win and produced 201 yards of offense. Tennessee 26, Alabama 10. The Vols fans came over the walls at Neyland and nobody could argue with them.
This was Tennessee’s largest margin over Alabama since 1998, and Alabama’s 10 points were its fewest in a loss to Tennessee since 2000.
Four Turnovers and 54 Rushing Yards
Alabama turned it over four times: two Keelon Russell interceptions and two lost fumbles. The Tide gained 54 yards on the ground all day. In the first half they managed 93 total yards on 28 plays and went 0-for-7 on third down.
Russell threw for 147 yards and ran in Alabama’s only touchdown on a 19-yard scramble. He was not helped by the absence of receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, who missed the game with multiple injuries including a concussion. But 147 yards is 147 yards, and the pressure never stopped. Jeremiah Telander and Tyree Weathersby each recorded multiple sacks for Tennessee.
Dejuan Lane had an interception and a fumble recovery. Kayin Lee intercepted a pass in the end zone in the final minute to put it away. Tennessee became the third team in 11 seasons to force four turnovers against Alabama.
Tennessee Won It the Boring Way
Josh Heupel’s team did not need fireworks. Cooper Ranvier kicked four field goals in the first 25 minutes, from 29, 33, 41 and 34 yards, which is how Tennessee led 12-10 at halftime without a touchdown.
Then DeSean Bishop took over. He carried 32 times for 159 yards and two scores, his third straight 100-yard game and the eighth of his career. Those touchdowns were the 28th and 29th of his career, moving him past Stanley Morgan into fifth in program history. George MacIntyre was efficient rather than spectacular at 21-of-31 for 197 yards, with career highs in completions and attempts.
Tennessee held the ball for 35:44 and won the 900th game in program history by its own count. The Vols are 6-1 and 3-1 in the SEC and squarely in the playoff picture.
DeBoer’s Margin Is Gone
Alabama is 5-2 and 3-2. Two straight losses, and this one came on the road against a team the Tide were expected to handle. Alabama fans spent Saturday night calling for Kalen DeBoer’s job on social media, which is what happens in Tuscaloosa after a performance like this.
He is not getting fired in October. He is in his third season, he went 9-4 and then 11-4 with a playoff appearance, and schools do not pay off contracts in the middle of a year. The pattern is the problem. Alabama keeps getting pushed around in the games that decide its season, and that points at the roster and the preparation rather than at bad luck.
Texas A&M comes to Tuscaloosa next Saturday, then a bye, then LSU. Win both and the playoff conversation stays alive. Lose one and the questions about DeBoer stop being about this season.
A longtime sports reporter, Carlos Garcia has written about some of the biggest and most notable athletic events of the last 5 years. He has been credentialed to cover MLS, NBA and MLB games all over the United States. His work has been published on Fox Sports, Bleacher Report, AOL and the Washington Post.