One of the SEC\u2019s biggest and most hated rivalries continues to be one-sided after week eight of 2018. The Alabama Crimson Tide thrashed Tennessee 58-21 in Knoxville, thus continuing a 12-game win streak over the Volunteers. This puts head coach Nick Saban at a 15-0 record when facing his assistants, with Jeremy Pruitt now coaching for Tennessee. The Tide dominated in every phase of the game like they have been doing all season long. In this game against the Volunteers, Alabama displayed many characteristics of old features that made them elite years ago as well.<\/p>\n
There was a sign of relief from Crimson Tide fans when they saw quarterback Tua Tagovailoa<\/a> jumping around against Tennessee. He has been hobbled by knee issues. He was more accurate and explosive with his passes even without wide receiver DeVonta Smith<\/strong> (hamstring injury). Tagovailoa passed for 19 completions out of 29 attempts for 306 yards, 4 touchdowns, and a QBR of 93.7. He displayed a wide range of playcalling and decisions in his throws and in the run-pass-option scheme for Alabama. This was a good indication of why Josh Jacobs<\/a> was starting for the Tide instead of senior running back Damien Harris. Jacobs has been a great weapon as a running back and as an extra receiver in the backfield. Jacobs rushed for 68 yards and 2 touchdowns on 12 carries against Tennessee.<\/p>\n Even without Smith, the Tide generated a lot of impact in the passing game from the receivers. Freshman Jaylen Waddle<\/strong> was an explosive play maker as he accounted for 4 receptions for 117 yards and a touchdown. Waddle was delivered a perfect pass from Tagovailoa, but it was Waddle who set up the 77-yard touchdown. Jerry Jeudy<\/a> was all over the field as he ran multiple different routes and formations against a confused Volunteer defense. Jeudy accounted for 5 receptions for 72 yards and a touchdown. The Crimson Tide\u2019s offensive line was once again efficient protecting Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts<\/a> whenever he came in. Tennessee\u2019s defense did not account for a sack against the Tide\u2019s offense as they rarely penetrated the backfield.<\/p>\n What has made Alabama one of the most elite teams in college football was its ability to stop the run. This off-season was a transition for Alabama\u2019s defense as they had to replace many of their starters from last year. Before the game against Tennessee, the Tide was ranked 33rd<\/sup> in the nation in rushing yards allowed per game (125.1). The Volunteers could not generate a running game against Alabama\u2019s defense as the Tide held Tennessee to 31 rushing yards.<\/p>\n The Tide\u2019s defense accounted for three sacks and 11 tackles for loss as they\u00a0 used different blitz packages to keep the Volunteers offense in constant disarray. Safety Xavier McKinney<\/strong> (1.5 TFL) and Defensive back Shyheim Carter<\/strong> (2 TFL) were often sent in defensive back blitzes. McKinney\u2019s lone sack early in the 1st<\/sup> quarter forced a fumble from Tennessee quarterback\u00a0Jarrett Guarantano<\/a> that was recovered by outside linebacker Christian Miller.<\/strong><\/p>\nAlabama’s Rushing Defense Showed Out<\/h3>\n
Tennessee’s Keller Chryst Fills In Well At Quarterback.<\/h3>\n