Alabama football won over the Tennessee Vols for the twelfth straight game. The response was thrown ice, cigar smoke and a Gatorade bath.
Alabama football set a couple of team records against the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday. The Crimson Tide beat the Vols and set a new win streak record at 12 games, going back to the 2007 season. Under Paul Bryant, the Tide also beat the Vols 11 games straight, from 1971-1981.
The Alabama Crimson Tide also set a new team record for most points scored against the Vols in the 58-21 win. The previous record was 56 points in 1986.
With each Tide win in 2018, two refrains are shared across the landscape of college football. One is Alabama football has not played anybody – as in no tough opposition. The other is a lament the Crimson Tide is hurting CFB via boredom, resulting from one-sided victories.
The tweet below came from someone in Michigan and it more correctly assesses the Tide’s national status.
I bet Michigan could hold Alabama to 45 pts. #NCAAF #Michigan #alabamafootball
— No Rest Holds Needed (@NoRestHolds) October 20, 2018
Apparently holding the 2018 Crimson Tide under 46 points qualifies as success. After beating Michigan State on Saturday, the Wolverines are holding opponents to 14.4 points per game.
Also on Saturday, a seventh former Saban assistant turned head coach lost to Nick. Jeremy Pruitt joined the ranks of Derek Dooley, Jim McElwain, Will Muschamp, Mark Dantonio, Kirby Smart and Jimbo Fisher. No former assistant has yet beaten their former boss and undisputedly the King of CFB.
What Saban said after the UT game
- He said Tua “is fine” and could have returned to the game.
- Saban was very complimentary of the offensive line whose pass “protection was really, really good.”
- Asked about Damien Harris not starting, Saban said it was for “internal reasons.”
- He was also asked about the cup of ice thrown at him as he left the field at halftime. The “ice didn’t bother me … rather have somebody upset when we are on the road.”
- Saban also said he was very pleased about the Gatorade bath Butch Jones received from Tide players after the game. See below.
https://twitter.com/MyBookieCFB/status/1053788403509182464
Butch was also spotted breaking NCAA rules in the post-game locker room. He shared a victory cigar with Crimson Tide players.
For any Alabama football fans, dismayed the Tide defense allowed 21 points, remember they actually only surrendered two touchdowns. Also, Saban could have easily made the game 65-21 but as expected, took his foot off the gas.
Other Game Items of Note
- Labryan Ray played very well filling in for Raekwon Davis. Ray had five tackles including one for a loss.
- Davis set out the first half as punishment for his lack of composure in the Missouri game.
- New starter at punter, Mike Bernier averaged 41 yards on two punts.
Here is the full Saban post-game media session.
The Alabama football team now has an open date. Players will get at least one extra day off to rest and recuperate before getting back to work.