Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes:
Alabama gets embarrassed by Tennessee in Knoxville, 26-10
Things couldn't have gone much worse for Alabama in the Third Saturday in October matchup in Knoxville this weekend. Tennessee rolled to a 26-10 win, with the Crimson Tide doing effectively nothing well. The offense managed just 201 total yards, with their only touchdown coming thanks to being set up in the redzone.
The game plans on both sides of the ball were baffling, calling into question the future of both OC Ryan Grubb and DC Kane Wommack.
After starting 5-0 and building some margin for error in the College Football Playoff race, Alabama has now lost back-to-back games and removed that margin. If the Crimson Tide wants to avoid a second missed playoff in three seasons under Kalen DeBoer, then the only way to guarantee it is by winning out from here.
Alabama is firmly on the CFP bubble now after a disappointing performance in Knoxville. Just one week after it looked like popular sentiment had shifted on DeBoer and this team, we're right back at square one.
EJ Crowell and Zabien Brown suffer worrisome injuries in Tennessee loss
Alabama was already pretty banged up going into The Third Saturday in October. The loss to Georgia extracted a heavy toll with starters Ryan Coleman-Williams, Terrance Green, and Racin Delgatty all going down and ultimately missing the Tennessee game.
Against the Vols, both Zabien Brown and EJ Crowell suffered injuries in the second quarter and did not return to the game. Both are difficult losses, with Brown being Alabama's best and most consistent defensive back the last two seasons. Crowell is the most explosive of the Tide's running backs, and not having him in the second half was a blow to the offense.
Hopefully, we get a good report during DeBoer's press conference on Monday, and both will be back quickly.
Alabama falls to No. 13 in the AP and Coaches Polls
A week after not falling at all in either poll following the three-point loss to Georgia, the Crimson Tide took a dive this week after the 16-point loss to Tennessee. Alabama is now ranked No. 13 in both polls, putting itself outside the College Football Playoff picture for now.
The good news is that Alabama still controls its own destiny. The bad news is they've still got some difficult games left on the schedule and can't afford another loss.
Alabama soccer falls in tight matchup vs. No. 2 Vanderbilt
In a battle for the lead in the SEC standings, Alabama women's soccer came up short in a 2-1 loss at home to No. 2-ranked Vanderbilt.
Alabama took a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute when Kiley Kukan put one into the back of the net. Vanderbilt tied the game just before halftime when Courtney Jones scored on a penalty.
Megan Hinnenkamp added a goal for Vandy in the 65th minute that proved to be the game-winner for the Commodores.
Head coach Wes Hart praised his team's effort in the aftermath of the loss:
"We ran into a good team today," Hart said. "I thought we played well; I was not disappointed. I thought our effort was fantastic.
Alabama softball scores four fall ball shutouts in two doubleheaders over the weekend
Alabama softball played four fall ball matchups over the weekend and won all four by a combined score of 31-0. Not bad!
On Saturday, the Crimson Tide beat Jones College 10-0 and followed that up with a 7-0 win over West Alabama.
On Sunday, Alabama faced the University of Mobile in a doubleheader and won the first game 11-0 and the second 3-0. The first game was highlighted by a perfect game from ace pitcher Jocelyn Briski, who struck out 15 of the 21 batters she faced.
In game two, Noelani Livingstone and Torynn Slaughter both hit homers in the 3-0 win.
Next Sunday, Patrick Murphy and his group head to Fulton, Mississippi, for a doubleheader against Itawamba Community College and Southern Miss.
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