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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 48-17 loss to Alabama

By Caleb Calhoun

Alabama running back Najee Harris (22) fumbles the ball in the end zone during the Alabama and Tennessee football game at Neyland Stadium at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.Tennessee Vs Alabama Football 100296
Alabama running back Najee Harris (22) fumbles the ball in the end zone during the Alabama and Tennessee football game at Neyland Stadium at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.Tennessee Vs Alabama Football 100296 /
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Alabama wide receiver Slade Bolden (18) runs the ball as Tennessee defensive back Jaylen McCollough (22) and Tennessee linebacker Henry To’o To’o (11) defend during a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.102420 Ut Bama Gameaction
Alabama wide receiver Slade Bolden (18) runs the ball as Tennessee defensive back Jaylen McCollough (22) and Tennessee linebacker Henry To’o To’o (11) defend during a game between Alabama and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.102420 Ut Bama Gameaction /

Here’s what we learned from the Tennessee football Volunteers’ loss to the Crimson Tide.

Nick Saban moved to 23-0 against his former assistants, 3-0 against Jeremy Pruitt and 16-1 against Tennessee football. The Alabama Crimson Tide dominated Rocky Top 48-17 at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

This was the 14th straight loss by the Vols’ to the Tide, all dating back to Saban’s first year as head coach of the program in 2007. It was actually their 15th straight loss to Saban, dating back to the 2001 SEC Championship game when Saban was leading the LSU Tigers.

With the loss, Tennessee football fell to 2-3 on the year, losing its third straight following losses to the Georgia Bulldogs and Kentucky Wildcats. Alabama, ranked No. 2 entering this game after a 41-24 win over UGA last week, moved to 5-0.

It was a win with a loss, however, as Alabama’s No. 1 receiver, Jaylen Waddle, suffered a season-ending injury on opening kickoff. Waddle tried to run it out, but he had nowhere to go and broke his ankle, only reaching the 15-yard line.

After punting on that drive, though, the Tide forced a three-and-out. They then went off, though, scoring touchdowns on four straight drives in the first half. UT had a field goal and a touchdown in the midst of those touchdown drives, but couldn’t do much more.

In the second half, Alabama turned a 28-10 lead into a 42-10 lead with a defensive touchdown and then another offensive touchdown. The Vols made it 42-17 with a second touchdown pas from Jarrett Guarantano, but Alabama then closed with two field goals and multiple fourth down stops in the fourth quarter.

Up next for Alabama is a home game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Tennessee football, meanwhile, has a bye week and then will visit the Arkansas Razorbacks on Nov. 7. Before then, though, here are five takeaways from the Vols’ loss on Saturday.

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