Tennessee Smokes Alabama Out, Playoff Dreams Alive
The Tennessee Volunteers held onto their goal posts (and their composure) this time around, but the celebratory cigars were out in full force after a hard-fought 24–17 victory over Alabama. This win not only keeps their season rolling at 6–1, but throws the Crimson Tide’s playoff hopes into serious doubt.
The loss to Tennessee marks Alabama’s second of the season, following their upset by Vanderbilt earlier this month. Even with a revamped 12-team playoff format, three losses seem like a tough hurdle to overcome, especially with games against Missouri, LSU, Oklahoma, and Auburn still on their schedule.
This Tennessee win feels different from their high-scoring victory over Alabama two years ago. Back then, the offense was unstoppable, and fans celebrated by taking down the goalposts. This time, the Vols’ defense stepped up, shutting down Alabama in the first half and giving their offense the breathing room it needed in the second.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava overcame a shaky first half to lead two crucial scoring drives in the third quarter. The first tied the game, while the second, capped off by a diving catch from Chris Brazzell, put Tennessee ahead for good.
Credit also goes to the relentless Tennessee crowd who kept the pressure on Alabama’s offense throughout the game. Despite a slow start, the Vols’ offense found its rhythm and ultimately proved more resilient than the Tide.
This win comes after a rollercoaster month for Tennessee. A surprising loss to Arkansas and a close call against Florida raised questions about their consistency. While their offense isn’t quite as explosive as it was early in the season, their defense has emerged as a true force, currently ranking second in the nation in yards allowed and fourth in points allowed.
This victory over Alabama, following their win against Florida, sends a strong message — the Vols are contenders. They’ve proven they can win with both offensive firepower and a suffocating defense. While a goal-post rush wasn’t in the cards this time, the sweet taste of victory and the promise of bigger things to come are enough to light a fire under any Tennessee fan.
