The Tennessee Volunteers overcame the Alabama Crimson Tide in a decisive 52-49 shock victory in what was arguably one of the best college football games in recent memory. One of the most memorable events in college football history may be the walk-off game-winning field goal. The Crimson Tide, unfortunately, are on the wrong side of this play.
TENNESSEE TAKES DOWN ALABAMA AND THE FANS ARE STORMING THE FIELD AT NEYLAND STADIUM.
WHAT A WIN FOR THE VOLS. pic.twitter.com/1MkxrkyxBA
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 15, 2022
Alabama’s 2022 flawless record was broken with the outcome, which also saw the Tide drop to No. 6 in the AP Top 25 poll from first place. The club might no longer qualify for the College Football Playoff at this point. The Crimson Tide would be out of the running for the championship for just the second time since the 2015 campaign.
On Saturday, the team will host the No. 24 Mississippi State Bulldogs in an attempt to recover. Head coach Nick Saban needs to think about a few things if Alabama football is to get back on track. Here are three adjustments the Alabama football programme needs to make in order to get past the devastating defeat to Tennessee.
3. Defense must start strong
Even though the Tennessee game was decided by a field goal, Alabama might have easily lost. The Volunteers scored four touchdowns in their first five possessions. By the end of the first quarter, they had 21 points. The most points Alabama had surrendered in a game this season before the defeat was 26.
The poor defensive opening set the tone for the game even if the Crimson Tide finally took the lead. Tennessee’s offence ultimately generated 567 total yards, averaging 12.4 yards per pass.
Even for a highly ranked opponent, Alabama’s defence, which is among the best in the country, cannot allow more than 50 points. The offensive output of Mississippi State is 427.6 yards per game, which is barely outside the top 50 in the nation. Although it ranks much lower than Tennessee’s top score of 551, it should nonetheless receive some particular consideration.
Alabama could be in a strong position for the rest of the day if they can slow down the Bulldogs’ offensive early in the game.
2. Avoid penalties at all costs
After the defeat to Tennessee, Saban and the coaching staff undoubtedly focused on improving the team’s discipline. With 17 penalties, Alabama lost 130 yards in total. In contrast, the Volunteers had just six flags for a total of 39 yards.
The Crimson Tide are incapable of handling so many penalties in a game decided by one possession. The issue is that it originated from both the offensive and defence.
The Volunteers faced a third-and-long situation inside their own 30 when the score was 14-7 for Tennessee. Alabama interfered on a pass, giving Tennessee a first down. A touchdown was eventually scored by them three plays later.
Following that score, the Crimson Tide committed four penalties while in Alabama’s possession. The club was ultimately forced to punt from their own 2-yard line. Only 33 yards were gained on the punt, giving Tennessee excellent field position. Just four plays later, the Volunteers scored their third touchdown of the day.
On both sides of the ball, penalties probably cost the Crimson Tide a lot of points. Things ought to go much more smoothly versus the Bulldogs on Saturday if the team works on maintaining its focus in order to avoid them.
1. The team must protect Bryce Young better
Bryce Young, the quarterback, returned after missing a game due to a shoulder injury, and he produced his finest game of the season. The current Heisman Trophy winner completed 35 of his 52 completion attempts for 455 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions against Tennessee. It was insufficient, though.
Young had a fantastic performance, but he could have had a better day. First of all, he hadn’t played a whole game in the previous two weeks. Above all else, he was under pressure throughout the majority of the contest.
Young was only sacked once by the Volunteers, but they hurried him nine times at the quarterback, which had him complete some risky and subpar passes. Additionally, it restricted his running game because he only lost four yards. Young recorded his first 100-yard rushing game earlier this season. He has accumulated 150 running yards on 22 tries so far in 2022 and three touchdowns.
Although Young’s passing is his finest attribute, he can also use his legs when necessary. Any additional assistance on offence is helpful in a game where he passed for more than 400 yards and still lost.
Young might make even better passes against the Bulldogs if the offensive line performs well. With extra time to consider all of the possibilities, Alabama football may start off even better. The team will also keep its quarterback for the rest of the campaign.
In the event that that takes place, Young can move up in the Heisman standings and the Crimson Tide can climb back to the top four for a CFP bid.
Football in Alabama: 3 adjustments the Crimson Tide must make to bounce back after Tennessee’s defeat over Mississippi State first appeared on ClutchPoints.
