‘Sluggish’ Alabama football team makes it 11 straight against the Vols
By Ronald Evans
The 2017 Alabama football team tied a Crimson Tide record on Saturday, beating Tennessee 45-7 for its 11th straight win against the Vols.
On Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Alabama football was sluggish. So said Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide coach said the Tide was sluggish in the 1st half, just as it had been at practice during Tennessee week.
For the most part, Saban said he was pleased by the Alabama football performance in the 2nd half. Combining the ‘sluggish’ and ‘post-sluggish’ halves of football the overall Alabama football performance was impressive.
The Tennesse Vols had more punts they made first downs. A close look at the key stats reveals a game story of dominance.
Total Offensive Yards: Alabama 606 – Tennessee 108
Total Offensive Plays: Alabama 86 – Tennessee 46
Average Gain Per Play: Alabama 7 yds – Tennessee 2.3 yds
First Downs: Alabama 35 – Tennessee 7
Net Yards Rushing: Alabama 272 – Tennessee 64
Net Yards Passing: Alabama 332 – Tennessee 44
Time of Possession: Alabama 34:51 – Tennessee 25:09
The Vols offense came within two feet of scoring a touchdown. The scoring opportunity came after a Xavian Marks fumbled punt and gave the Vols the ball at the Tide 20-yard line. Inside the one-yard line, the Vols made an illegal procedure penalty with movement on the offensive line. The Tide shut down the drive with an interception by Mack Wilson.
The defensive stand impressed Nick Saban. Saban thanked the Bryant-Denny crowd for being a factor in the goal line stand. He also said he was very pleased that it mattered so much to his defense to keep the Vols out of the end zone.
Saban’s thoughts going forward
In the post-game presser, Nick was asked to assess where Alabama football stands eight games into the season.
"“I’m not real satisfied and I don’t think anybody should be, in terms of what we have done.”"
Speaking about the Tide’s prospects going forward, Nick said,
"“The best teams we have to play are still ahead of us”"
Saban elaborated the Crimson Tide has several areas where it must improve going forward. His comments hint the 2017 Alabama football team has vulnerabilities that have not yet been exposed. How vulnerable and what future team has the strength to expose Tide weaknesses remains unknown.
LSU and others await. As many as five others past LSU, (being generous to Mississippi State) can stymie the Tide’s championship goals. The path to 8-0 has been a long run. It has also been the prelude. The real second half of the season begins November 4th in Tuscaloosa. A new run, 7-0 would bring three 2017 championships.
Saban not being ‘real satisfied’ is exactly where this Alabama football team needs to be.
Next: The All-Time Best Alabama Football Team
Alabama has 72 consecutive wins over unranked teams under Nick Saban. That number ties Miami for No. 2 in FBS history. The streak began against Colorado in December 2007.