On Saturday, Nick Saban suffered his first defeat since taking over Alabama against Tennessee. One analyst claimed that the veteran Bama coach blew it at the game’s conclusion.
Following the Volunteers’ 52-49 victory over the Crimson Tide, Rick Neuheisel discussed the crucial tactical error Saban made on CBS’ postgame show.
In Neuheisel’s opinion, Saban needed to have made Alabama run the ball more in the final minutes.
Neuheisel remarked, “As good as Nick Saban is, there was a premeditated mistake here. When they reached the 32-yard line, they ought to have been rushing the ball to make Tennessee use their timeouts.
With 45 seconds left, Bryce Young delivered an 18-yard pass to Ja’Corey Brooks to move the Tide down to the Tennessee 32. Neuheisel is discussing what transpired after that. At that point, the Vols had used all three of their timeouts.
Alabama then attempted three passes in a row, all of which were unsuccessful. With around 20 seconds left, Will Reichard had a 50-yard field goal try that he missed.
After using one of their two remaining timeouts on Alabama’s possession, the Vols received the ball back at the 32 with 15 seconds remaining. After completing two passes, Tennessee was able to stop the clock with to their two timeouts, putting them in a position to kick a field goal.
The game was then won by a 40-yard knuckle-ball field goal by Chase McGrath.
Saban probably would have run the ball more if he could go back and change anything.
After Alabama’s loss, Rick Neuheisel criticises Nick Saban in one sentence, according to Larry Brown Sports.
