Tennessee football blame pie: Who’s at fault for Vols’ 52-24 loss at Alabama?

For just over three quarters, it seemed like Tennessee football might do the unthinkable and shock the world. Then reality set in, and the Alabama Crimson Tide scored three straight touchdowns at the end of the game to win.

Although the Vols hung tough, lots of people were at fault for them not having the chance to keep it close late. It doesn’t just stem from what happened during that time either. There were other issues throughout the course of the game that proved costly.

As we get set to dish out our blame pie for what happened at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saturday, know that some of the people we named on here also got credit for playing well. You can make both lists, and that definitely happened here. This is our take on who is responsible for Tennessee football’s 52-24 loss at Alabama.

Hendon Hooker: 5 percent

It’s hard to blame Hendon Hooker. He played the game banged up and didn’t have the protection he needed but still threw for over 280 yards and three touchdowns. Very few players were as gutsy as he was.

However, Hooker made a couple of key mistakes on certain drives that resulted in them stalling, including one off a blocked punt that forced the Vols to settle for a field goal. Add in his interception late, and he had to get some blame.

Josh Heupel: 15 percent

Aggression has been the nature of Josh Heupel’s offense throughout the year. They go for it on fourth and manageable and move the ball at a fast pace, trying to score as much as possible. That was nowhere to be found Saturday night, and it was not in character for the Vols.

Not only did UT punt it on a 4th and 1 for a second straight week, but they abandoned their tempo advantage at times despite the way it has helped their offense score at a high level. Heupel sometimes abandoning his principles for this game was somewhat problematic.

Safeties: 15 percent

Kamal Hadden forced a fumble on one play, and the safeties played as hard as they could. However, this is where we place a large portion of the blame for how the game ended. The Vols kept getting beat deep.

Bryce Young threw for over 370 yards, and John Metchie III and Jameson Williams both had over 100 yards receiving. Tennessee football allowed a 65-yard pass to Williams on 3rd and 15 at one point when it was still a one-score game. Mistakes like that were too much to overcome.

Linebackers: 25 percent

Sure, the safeties got beat deep a few times late, but that was often because they had to cheat up to spy on Bryce Young. For the second straight week, the Vols’ linebackers couldn’t get off blocks to make plays.

As a result, Young became a shockingly elite runner. He more than doubled his best rushing total in any game this year, picking up 42 yards and two touchdowns on just 10 carries. Add in another Jeremy Banks late hit, and he and Aaron Beasley had way too many issues.

Interior offensive line: 40 percent

Obviously, this unit remains banged up. However, we still can’t ignore its issues with such an abysmal rushing attack. The Vols had Tiyon Evans back, but he and Jabari Small gained just 38 yards on 14 carries.

Hooker had 26 yards on 12 carries. Tennessee football couldn’t establish the run all night, and that was due to lack of interior blocking. Although that should improve with a week off, we can’t ignore what happened in this game on that front.