Describing Alabama's loss to Tennessee can take several directions. None will lead Crimson Tide fans to accept the outcome. Blame can be assigned to Alabama coaches and some Crimson Tide players. But finger-pointing is pointless. Everyone in the Alabama program surely understands the game was a complete failure.
A game recap could be that 'Alabama dug itself a deep hole, and the Vols threw the Crimson Tide in it'. Perhaps nothing more needs to be said.
But saying nothing more would be unfair to the game's best coach, Tennessee's Defensive Coordinator, Jim Knowles. No Alabama fan should be surprised. Knowles has been a defensive master for a longtime.
Knowles' defense had 10 TFLs and five sacks, plus frequent other pressures. Keelon Russell played poorly. He had little chance to do much else. The Vols were the tougher team on both sides of the ball. The final score was bad enough. It could have been worse had Kane Wommack's defense not battled so hard. Or if the Vols had a seasoned quarterback.
Alabama running backs and Lotzeir Brooks had 15 total carries in the game. They combined for 48 yards. Take away Daniel Hill's 17-yard gain, and the other 14 carries averaged 2.2 yards. Alabama converted only two of 13 third downs.
Yes, Alabama's turnovers were killers, but other than the bad luck of Keelon's trapped foot under another Crimson Tide foot, Tennessee's relentless pressure forced the turnovers. Alabama's respected 'big play' offense made zero big plays.
Make No Alabama Excuses
And yes, Alabama was injury-depleted. The Crimson Tide sorely missed Terrance Green, Ryan Coleman-Williams, and others. Zabien Brown was lost early in the second half. But blaming the loss on the injuries is an unnecessary excuse. Eyes and thoughts must be aimed forward for a Crimson Tide team, now with its back against the wall.
After the game, Kalen DeBoer said, "But moving forward, it's going to be even more another level of uncomfortable." He could have been talking about himself and Ryan Grubb, and even Kane Wommack for his aversion to press coverage, but 'another level of uncomfortable' applies to the total roster and coaching staff.
Note: Game stats provided by Stat Broadcast
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