Grading Alabama football in loss to Tennessee: Does Crimson Tide defense get an F?
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. ― Alabama football hasn't had a test like this one yet this season.
It performed well at times. Other times, not so much. But Alabama couldn't find a way to finish this test out strong.
Tennessee escaped with the 52-49 victory on a game-winning field goal and snapped a 15-year losing streak to the Crimson Tide with the win on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.
Here are our grades for Alabama football (6-1, 3-1) after its loss to Tennessee (6-0, 3-0).
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Offense: B
When Alabama’s offense wasn’t getting penalized, it had plenty of good moments. Sometimes, Alabama struggled to block Tennessee’s front, but quarterback Bryce Young and running back Jahmyr Gibbs frequently found ways to make plays against the Vols. Young showed no signs of being hampered by the shoulder injury that had sidelined him the previous week. But he and the offense couldn't find a way to close out the game when needed.
Defense: D+
Alabama struggled mightily with Tennessee’s tempo early. The soft coverage provided plenty of opportunities for the Vols in the first quarter to jump out to an early lead. The defense had plenty more issues in the second half, too, especially trying to cover Jalin Hyatt. Sure, the unit produced some turnovers, but when it badly needed a stop late, it couldn't get one.
Special teams: D-
That second-quarter punt in which Quandarrius Robinson touched the rolling football was atrocious. Alabama’s coaches went crazy as the punt return team returned to the sideline afterward, and for good reason. Mistakes don’t get much worse than that one, tanking Alabama’s special teams’ grade for the day. Will Reichard missed a 50-yard field goal attempt, too, that would have won the game.
Coaching: C-
Tennessee came out with a better game plan to start. Alabama’s defense initially struggled to adjust. It found its footing a bit, but then Tennessee adjusted, too. Alabama's offensive game plan was a solid one, though. And the coaching staff put together a plan to mount a comeback. Still, the undisciplined early start is a major blemish on the coaches' grade in this game.
Overall: C-
Alabama often made life difficult for itself early, but the Crimson Tide rallied to make a game of it. The defense, however, frequently had trouble with the Tennessee offense. And the Alabama offense couldn't finish the game when it needed to late.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Alabama football grades: Tennessee, Josh Heupel outcoach Nick Saban?
