What’s harder than getting to the top of the mountain? Staying there.
The Alabama Crimson Tide has been the mountain for 15 years, and despite the loss to Tennessee, the program is still at the pinnacle of college football. The Crimson Tide still control their own destiny to the playoffs, but I think a lot of Alabama fans may have seen this one coming. While the loss hurts, here is why it was overdue, and maybe even good for the Tide.
The fact of the matter is, it is really hard to win rivalry games. Especially 15 straight, you’re bound to lose one eventually. Similarly to playing Georgia last year, it’s just really hard to even beat the same team twice. So it’s important to remember that 15 years is a really remarkable feat by Nick Saban and his different staff over the years.
On top of that, we have seen some flaws in this Alabama team. Bryce Young has to put on his superman cape in these close games, and his need for help is clear at this point. To put it in perspective, Bryce was still fighting through injury most of the game. Despite that, he was remarkable against the Volunteers, as was Jahmyr Gibbs, but the receivers need to step up.
A lot of fans left the game upset with some of Bill O’Brien’s decisions, especially the choice not to run the ball on the final drive of the game that resulted in the missed field goal.
Defensively, it was not Pete Golding’s best showing. Alabama surrendered 567 total yards and 52 points. Though special teams spotted the Tennessee offense a few points, the Alabama defense couldn’t get the stops when they needed it the most. To surrender a winning drive with under 30 seconds is inexcusable.
The officials certainly didn’t help the Tide, but Alabama did not help itself. The Tide had previously set the most penalties by a Saban-coached Alabama team against Texas this year with 15, and they were called 17 times for 130 yards against the Volunteers Saturday. It’s hard to win games when you’re constantly playing behind the chains. Having 32 penalties in two games is simply undisciplined, and something Saban will surely look to fix.
Even Will Reichard was off on the day, missing what would have been the game-winning kick. Sometimes it’s just one of those days when the stars don’t align.
The silver lining? It took a crazy home environment, injuries, sloppy play for Tennessee to win by only a field goal. Alabama will be okay, Tennessee was just due for a break.
As for Alabama, all of its goals are still attainable. It is just going to take a long, hard look in the mirror to change some things. And that might be the best thing for a struggling Alabama squad.
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