TUSCALOOSA, Ala.—Tennessee could have sat atop first place by itself in the SEC East Division as of tonight.
Instead, every other team in the division now has two losses and Florida is again in control of its destiny after another wild Saturday in the SEC.
The Volunteers’ 41-17 loss at Alabama was pretty much what they deserved, considering how the Crimson Tide controlled most of the last three quarters.
UT’s defense may have reached a new low today. While Alabama is good offensively, it also played without two starters on its line and a solid running back (Glen Coffee) due to violating school policy.
Yet the Vols couldn’t mount any kind of consistent pass rush or stop the running game, resulting in 510 total yards and 27 first downs for the Tide.
“It definitely wasn’t the game we expected,” linebacker Jerod Mayo said. “Today we came out expecting to play as good as any game in the past. The defense takes this loss on our shoulders.”
While that unit should take the biggest chunk of the blame, save some for the offense, too, which pitched a second half shutout against a defense which entered the day a mediocre ninth in the SEC.
That only heats up coach Phillip Fulmer’s seat, which had cooled down for a short time. Next week’s home game with South Carolina might determine the rest of the season’s course, as well as Fulmer’s future.
Athletic director Mike Hamilton’s frown in the post-game interview room told quite a story. It was the look of a man who knows he might be one more loss away from making a decision he’d just as soon not make.
Extra Points
1. Who had the worst Saturday, Fulmer or Steve Spurrier? Losing at home to Vandy and scoring just six points isn’t quite what the South Carolina “ball coach” had in mind. Bet Spurrier perks up after looking at UT’s pass defense today, though.
2. Where were the adjustments on Alabama receiver D.J. Hall? He caught at least four passes when he would motion across the formation and get a clean break off the scrimmage line. It was almost as if the Vols didn’t believe he could keep making plays.
3. You have to wonder about the condition of Lucas Taylor’s toe. He grabbed a season-low two passes and didn’t play in the fourth quarter. If he’s out for any length of time, UT’s passing game is a whole lot worse.
4. So much for the improvement of the defensive line. Not only were they pushed around all game, they also made some horrid penalties which helped lead to Alabama points. I’m not a big grade guy but I’d say a D or F is in order for this unit.
5. While the Vols didn’t have a lot of plays from scrimmage, it’s clear Arian Foster is this team’s top tailback. That’s why he should have had more than five carries after the first quarter. Foster never touched the ball one time in the second quarter. Inexcusable.