Ho hum, same old stuff, much like last time.
Tennessee knocked off Alabama. Fans got all excited, sprang from their seats and reconvened on Shields-Watkins Field. Dr. Danny, happy with the triumph but alarmed by the celebration, may find it necessary to tack another special fee onto ticket costs to pay the $100,000 fine.
Some in the gathering of 101,915 again ignored official U.S. government health warnings and lit up victory cigars. In addition to the smoke, there were many whoopees and some jumping around but not as much as in 2022. Enthusiastic students debated police over ownership of goal posts. This time, the metal did not go into the river.
“Dixieland Delight” played again on the public address system at Neyland Stadium. Alabama players missed the barb. They were in full retreat toward their dressing room before the final whistle.
Tennessee football culture being what it is, do you think going slightly out of our mind might eventually be trimmed back? Bear Bryant and Nick Saban are gone. This is not their Alabama.
Do you suppose the time will come when fans just stand and applaud, act like they are familiar with success on the Third Saturday in October?
If the Vols win just 20 in a row, they’ll be back to even in this historic rivalry. Alabama leads 60-40-7.
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Tennessee, now 6-1, won Saturday, 24-17, in a classic comeback. A fiercely determined defense and a terrific catch by Chris Brazzell of a 16-yard pass from Nico turned the Tide with 5:56 remaining. A later field goal by Max Gilbert added comfort. It was a great finish.
The Vols overcame another first half of missed opportunities, offensive ineptness and three times fought from behind. Dylan Sampson produced 139 yards and two touchdowns.
Defense, defense, defense: All of Alabama combined for 75 rushing yards. The Tide converted three of 14 third downs.
The Vols generally contained star quarterback Jalen Milroe. Cornerback Jermod McCoy made the big play of the game, an end zone interception in the first quarter. Safety Will Brooks (from Birmingham) picked off Milroe’s final pass to slam the door.
Indeed, the full-house crowd and Alabama’s lack of discipline helped. The Tide was penalized 15 times for 115 yards. False starts were a factor. There was confusion in communications.
“It was a great crowd … one of the greatest crowds in the country,” said Milroe.
“Neyland effect, our fans, elite performance from them,” said Josh Heupel.
It was loud. Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter thought fourth-quarter loudness might have been a world record.
“It was rocking,” said Carter. “It was so loud that they couldn’t get their pass protection set. To have a crowd like that screaming and having your back, it was a great feeling.”
The Tide ran 11 plays and netted three yards.
Heupel’s second knockout of Alabama was rewarded with seventh place in the AP poll. His summary: “It wasn’t pretty early. The great crowd saw it. Everybody on TV saw it. We saw it, too.
“But there’s nothing better than walking off that field with the fans surrounding you and a cigar in your mouth.”
Heupel said the defense delivered an “absolutely elite performance. Line of scrimmage, controlling the quarterback, everything that you had to do. Did an unbelievable job on third down.”
“Offensively, man, not good early, but not far off … love a lot of what I saw in the second half.”
The coach sees no need to apologize for winning ugly.
“Wins are wins in this league. Every Saturday margins are tight. You got to be on the right side of the scoreboard. You got to be best team on the field.”
My summation: Tennessee’s offense is not yet dependable. The change from half to half was dramatic. The Vols, at home, were the better team by a little bit. They were tougher mentally and stronger physically. Heupel was very conservative in late clock management but UT won in the comparison of coaching.
Defense against Ryan Williams, Alabama’s fantastic 17-year-old freshman receiver, worked as planned. He caught eight passes for 73 yards and one score but did not disrupt the game. Credit J. McCoy.
Nico Iamaleava missed two and maybe three touchdown opportunities to open receivers. Asked what went wrong in the first half, he was bluntly honest.
“I missed a shot to Squirrel (White) on the touchdown. I got to be better on that.”
Bru McCoy caught six for 80 yards but Nico overthrew an opening for much more. He hit a big throw to Dont’e Thornton for 55. That set up a Sampson TD. Nico set up the other with a 27-yard run.
He said the defense is the team backbone. He tells it like it is.
“We’ll continue to lean on them. We’ve got to put up a better performance offensively.”
Parting shot: Late in the game, Boo Carter made a freshman mistake. It could have been a disaster. Kendrick Law dropped a Milroe pass. Boo, up close and personal as a defender, added commentary. Law gave him an angry shove. Carter took a swing and missed.
Officials saw half of the incident. Law was assessed a 15-yard penalty. Alabama ended up stuck at fourth down with 22 to go. The other Carter, Arion, moved Boo in another direction.
Winning plays come in different shapes and places.
Marvin West welcomes comments or questions from readers. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com