Tennessee beats Alabama in the best game of the year

The Tennessee Volunteers beat the Alabama Crimson Tide, 52-49. This game was the game of the year so far as both offenses went off and the Vols won off a walk-off field goal. Tennessee beat Alabama for the first time in 15 years in a game that was very memorable.

After an Alabama punt to start the game, Tennessee started off the show by scoring a touchdown on their first drive. Hendon Hooker went off with his legs and arm, showcasing the skills that made him a Heisman candidate going into this game. Alabama responded with a touchdown of their own.

The Tide scored through an impressive air attack by Bryce Young in his first game back from injury. The Volunteers came right back at it, scoring another touchdown through the air. After a Bama three-and-out, Tennessee scored another touchdown. The Volunteers were up 2 scores and it looked like the Tide had no chance of stopping this offense.

Alabama went back to work on the next drive. With Jahmyr Gibbs going for stellar runs and Bryce Young finding open receivers, the Tide were in the red zone shortly after the end of the first quarter. Alabama couldn’t capitalize and had to settle for three.

Unexpectedly, the Tide were able to force the Volunteers to a three and out on their next offensive drive. Special teams issues (that have been prevalent all year) once again raised their heads and Alabama had a fumble on the punt return. The Volunteers took advantage of the short field and scored a TD.

Bryce Young, Jahmyr Gibbs, and the rest of the offense made up for the special teams’ woes and scored a TD on their drive. Tennessee responded with a drive of their own. Despite this great offense moving the ball down the field, they couldn’t find the endzone.

Rather than trying for a field goal, the Vols decided to go for it on fourth down. They missed the fourth down and Alabama got the ball with plenty of time in the half and a chance to make it a one-score game. Alabama did just that. The Tide scored a field goal before the half to make it a 28-20 Tennessee game at the half.

On the opening drive of the third quarter, the Vols drove down the field and yet again decided to go for it on fourth rather than try for a field goal.

They ended up not getting it on fourth down and Alabama had the ball around mid-field. Bryce Young and Jahymr Gibbs went to work and both had 20+ yard plays (Young passed to Jermaine Burton for 36 yards, and Gibbs ran for 26 yards). Alabama’s offense tied the game on that drive.

Hendon Hooker responded quickly. On the third play of the drive, he found Jalin Hyatt for 60 yards and a TD. Speaking of Hyatt, he had a madden-type game. Hyatt had 6 catches for 207 yards. Additionally, he had 5 TD. That kind of stat line is insane and only exists when you play Madden on rookie mode.

Alabama quickly responded and actually had the lead because the Vols missed their PAT attempt on the previous drive. Hooker had his only real blemish of the game on the next drive when he threw an interception. Luckily for him, the Vols’ defense came up big for him and forced the Tide’s offense to only 5 plays on the next drive.

Hooker redeemed himself on the next drive and found Hyatt for a 78-yard pass that went for six. Tennessee got the two-point conversion and it was 42-35, Tennessee with 14 minutes to go. Alabama responded with Young leading the charge as they tied up the game with around 8 minutes to go.

On the ensuing drive, the Vols turned the ball over. A bad handoff led the Tide to score courtesy of Dallas Turner. Aided by some pass interference calls, Hendon Hooker was able to lead Tennessee to a touchdown the drive after and the game was tied.

While Tennessee’s offense had put on a win-worthy show, it was still Bama’s game to lose. Bryce Young drove the Tide down the field and it seemed like the Tide had won it after getting a first down on 3rd and 2 at the Bama 33. Alabama was in field goal range after a Young pass to Gibbs that reset the chains for the Tide.

The Kick would not be good. It seemed like the game was going to overtime. Hendon Hooker had other plans. Hooker quickly drove the Volunteers to Bama’s 23 behind two passing plays (an 18-yard pass to Ramel Keyton and a 27-yard pass to Bru McCoy). Tennessee had a chance to win it. The kick would barely go in but it went in and the Volunteers had vaulted themselves to a win and best team in college football consideration.

This Volunteers offense is the best in college football. Hendon Hooker is a top-3 Heisman candidate. The Volunteers have an argument to be ranked number 1 after this week. All three of these things are true. This is a statement victory.

I wasn’t expecting a victory here from Tennessee. While I thought their offense was very good and I expected them to keep this game close, I did think Bama would win. This Bama team was definitely more beatable than years past.

While Alabama is very undisciplined, special teams are an issue, and they looked beatable at times in the Arkansas and A&M game (more in the Texas A&M game than Arkansas one), they still are a team led by Will Anderson, Bryce Young, and Jahmyr Gibbs.

The fact that Tennessee won this game shows they are a College Football Playoff favorite. This offense this season has been amazing and pending a loss to anyone not named Georiga for the rest of the season, the Vols have a tremendous case for the playoff.

Going forward, I think the Vols will beat UT Martin and Kentucky before their November 5th showdown with Georgia. Tennessee’s offense vs Georgia’s defense will be must-watch football for any sports fan. Besides that game, I don’t see how this offense will lose to any team on their schedule.

While an SEC title is still something the Volunteers have to fight for, they could take care of business and beat who they are supposed to to get there, as well as make a very competitive case for the college football playoff.

Alabama is in a very bad position. While I see them most likely beating the rest of their regular season schedule (pending something crazy in the Mississippi State game and assuming Ole Miss does an Ole Miss and disappears for a quarter), I don’t see how this team beats Georgia in a potential SEC championship matchup.

This Tide team has serious issues to correct and they need to run the table going forward. If it came down to Tennessee or Alabama for a potential playoff spot, it’s hard to argue against Tennessee based on the head-to-head victory.

In the game of the year, Alabama showed its issues once again. Tennessee took advantage of those issues while showcasing their offense. Hendon Hooker turned into a Tennessee legend and college football fans were treated to an all-time game. Tennessee beat Bama and arguably became the best team in the country.