27 Things I Noticed In Alabama's 34-20 Victory Over the Tennessee Vols

The Crimson Tide erased a 13-point deficit to maintain an undefeated SEC record this past Saturday against the Tennessee Volunteers.

The Tennessee Volunteers threw their best haymaker at the Alabama Crimson Tide this past weekend in the annual "Third Saturday in October" rivalry game, but in the end it was Nick Saban's squad exacting revenge for last year's three-point loss in Knoxville. 

Alabama scored 27-unanswered points in the second half to stay unbeaten in the SEC and keep its College Football Playoff hopes alive. 

Rewatch the game with "The Joe Gaither Show on BamaCentral" as we see what Alabama did well and areas the Crimson Tide still needs to improve as the season progresses. 

1. Tennessee marches the field, scores and puts the Tide on its heels

The opening drive of the game goes more than poorly for the Crimson Tide, but observers must remember that the early period of the game is often a feeling out process. How will teams attack certain looks? Where does the opposition feel it has the advantage. The script that has been meticulously thought out is often a fact finding mission and that's evident on the opening drive, offensively for Tennessee, sure, but defensively for Alabama as well.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: Tennessee's swing pass is essentially a test of Alabama's edge. Kevin Steele has Dallas Turner dropping as three passing options come out of the backfield from the same side, he recognizes the pass to the tailback as a pseudo-screen and sets a haphazard edge. Jaylen Key largely sees the play the whole way and forces the tailback out of bounds for minimal gain.
• Snap 2 | 2nd & 8: Not only is the opening set a fact-finding mission, but it's also the beginning of most teams' attempt to stretch the Alabama defense laterally. A quick screen to the back receiver out of a stack forces Kool-Aid McKinstry to take on a block, which he does fine with, and Key to come up and make the tackle. Justin Eboigbe and Tim Keenan are in pursuit down the line, which is exactly how the Vols want to neutralize them.
• Snap 3 | 3rd & 6: Alabama doesn't sub on third down, due to the threat of Tennessee making the first down and going fast. Keenan moves into an unnatural defensive end role, and Eboigbe plays a bit of a Jack role. Alabama plays essentially man-to-man on the back end and Joe Milton sees it fairly quickly. Milton escapes the pocket and runs for a first down. The Tide is fairly fortunate that Milton is determined to run as Malachi Moore comes off his man to make the tackle. Had Milton kept his head up, a wide open man running free would have scored. 
• Snap 4 | 1st & 10: Alabama goes back into its odd front after a third down conversion and the stack runs what looks like a slant with a stick route behind it. Turner follow the slant and Milton takes the stick for a quick throw and decent gain.
• Snap 5 | 2nd & 3: Alabama is back to even and Turner is walked back to the edge. Eboigbe and Jihaad Campbell force the ball outside, right to where Caleb Downs should be filling, but Downs allows the back to beat him outside with a bad angle for a near first down. It's an informational drive for Downs also, learning the speed of his opposition.
• Snap 6 | 3rd & 1: Tennessee calls a simple run up the middle with the tight end sealing the back side. Turner does a good job squeezing down the line but the Vols back gets just enough for the first down.
• Snap 7 | 1st & 10: We see the Volunteers first RPO of the day. Milton finds Squirrel White for a first down. Milton's pass is in the perfect spot and the play action holds Downs just enough. 
• Snap 8 | 1st & 10: Milton finds White for a 39-yard touchdown pass to get Tennessee on the board. It's Chris Braswell's second defensive snap of the game and he's left in no man's land. The play-action really fools the Alabama defense and Milton really had three different places he could have scored with this pass. Key bites hard and leaves McKinstry on his own. McKinstry leaves Braswell alone and Malachi Moore is beaten to the top of the screen. Rushing three leaves Caleb Downs and Campbell both guarding grass and sometimes the opposition just wins one. 

Joe Milton has three options for this touchdown, but chooses the best matchup with the WR on a LB to the bottom of the screen / Screenshot

2. Alabama's quick three-and-out features missed assignments on the line.

The Crimson Tide's first drive goes a measly 8-yards and features the offensive line getting whipped. What did the Tide find out on its first drive? Not much besides the sense of urgency has to improve.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: Alabama opens in my personal favorite offensive formation this season, Pistol out of 12 personnel. Tommy Rees immediately moves the pocket in a bit of a play-action, bootleg. Did Jalen Milroe fake the wrong way? Sure looks like it. He gets out of the pocket, away from Tennessee's dangerous pass rush and scans the field and decides to check it down to Jase McClellan before running himself into trouble or allowing backside pressure to catch him for a dumb sack.
• Snap 2 | 2nd & 4: Alabama is still in 12, while Tennessee seems to send a pressure and Milroe appears to be reading the end man rushing in and pulls it. Credit Tyler Baron for getting the better of Alabama tight end CJ Dippre, he holds the edge and forces Milroe back inside the block. Had Milroe not had to hop over Dippre's leg he may still be running, but instead was caught from behind.
• Snap 3 | 3rd & 3: Alabama appears to call some sort of inside zone, with Dippre sealing the backside. Problem is guard Jaeden Roberts helps JC Latham on his man, which seems nice, but Roberts's man makes the stop to bring up fourth down. Looks like Dippre was supposed to take the outside man who was junked up by the Latham and Roberts double team, while Roberts should have worked his way to the linebacker. Instead the Tide punts. Watch Latham in the last split second of the camera shot screaming at Roberts. He's young, he'll learn.

3. Justin Eboigbe heroics.

Alabama appears to change its first down strategy and forces a quick stop thanks to a big hustle play by a defensive lineman.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: It appears as if Alabama has already decided to go with its even front, per the film and Coach Nick Saban's post-game press conference. Tennessee runs a toss and there's no way Malachi Moore is letting himself be reach blocked by the tight end. While he doesn't make the tackle, he forces the tailback to run the hump and Jihaad Campbell's man had no chance at his reach block assignment. Campbell runs Jaylen Wright out of bounds.
• Snap 2 | 2nd & 14: Alabama still in even and the Vols run right into the teeth of the defense. Sure, Tennessee gains some yards but look how Deontae Lawson and Justin Eboigbe both fight, sacrificing their bodies and make the stop. 
• Snap 3 | 3rd & 9: Does Eboigbe save a touchdown here? Some are saying. Look at this amazing play recognition. Without it, Squirrel White is one on one with Caleb Downs in the open field. Sure, Downs may make the play anyways while giving up the first down, but the quick recognition by Eboigbe gets the Tide off the field. He gets three steps upfield before turning and tracking back and forcing a fourth down. 

4. One nice pass play followed by three-and-out. Is Jalen Milroe too keyed up?

Jalen Milroe goes one for two on this drive but it's the inability to get the running game going that's a bit concerning as Alabama's second drive once again ends in a punt.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: This is a fun play as Alabama completes a big pass to Malik Benson. The signs of a complete offense are all there, just need to find consistency. Alabama uses Robbie Ouzts to help Kadyn Proctor by chipping his man. Tennessee is bringing five with a cover three behind it. JC Latham pancakes his man and it likely saves the play as Jase McClellan whiffs on his block on the right side. Jalen Milroe puts the ball on Benson who comes back to the ball nicely. Was his break that clean? No, but it got the job done. Milroe also had Isaiah Bond over the middle if he wanted him but Alabama will never go broke taking a profit. 
• Snap 2 | 1st & 10: Back in the Pistol but just in 11 personnel here. The Tide runs what looks like a bit of iso up the middle with Tyler Booker pulling around from the backside to hammer the play-side end. Jaeden Roberts's man fights through the block to make the tackle but not before McClellan advances for five nice yards. 
• Snap 3 | 2nd & 5: This play seems like it's not blocked correctly as Robbie Ouzts is left with both linebackers and the unblocked backer makes the stop on McClellan. Booker crushes the tackle to his right, Roberts crushes the tackle whose head up on him. Seth McLaughlin seems to be caught in the wash but assigning him the backer is a tough ask. Regardless, Proctor getting stalemated and the unblocked backer cause this play to go for no gain.
• Snap 4 | 3rd & 5: Tennessee brings five with a sixth green-dogging linebacker in order to tax the Alabama offensive line. Milroe appears to make the right read as pressure is in his face, Isaiah Bond is one-on-one down the sideline with minimal help. Milroe's pass just sails out of bounds and James Burnip comes on to punt again.

5. Tennessee gets its tempo going but Alabama stands tall in the red-zone. 

When Josh Heupel gets his offense really rolling, watch out. Alabama does a good job getting its feet under itself in the red-zone to force the Volunteers to just a field goal.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: Alabama is back in odd on first down as it seems like Saban and Steel are still debating on the sidelines the best way to play against the Vols. Malachi Moore does really nice job stringing this option play out and making Joe Milton pitch the ball. The Vols do just enough of a job on Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell to get them caught in the wash, but Caleb Downs refuses to be blocked and makes the tackle. 
• Snap 2 | 2nd & 4: Alabama brings a blitz and is man-to-man on the back end. Ramel Keyton does a nice job running a short hitch route based on Terrion Arnold's off coverage. Arnold over pursues and Keyton adds and extra 8-yards after the catch. 
• Snap 3 | 1st & 10: Here's a play Milton would like back as I believe he gives away yards on the pitch. Had Milton kept the ball the Vols likely would have had a more reasonable second down play as he pitched Jabari Small into a corner. 
• Snap 4 | 2nd & 8: Alabama calls another pressure and Tim Smith holds the edge nicely. Lawson cleans up the play for a tackle for loss and the Tide has a chance to get off the field.
• Snap 5 | 3rd & 8: The Tide runs a really poor stunt from the left side of the line while in what appears to be some sort of two-man coverage. Squirrel White beats Moore on his route and Milton has plenty of time and space to make the throw for the first down. 
• Snap 6 | 1st & 10: Alabama brings pressure and forces a holding call on the Tennessee line. 
• Snap 7 | 1st & 20: Tennessee motions the tailback out of the backfield and makes it five offensive lineman against five Alabama players in the box. The QB-draw on top of the motion makes for easy blocking assignments and Milton picks up 14-yards. 
• Snap 8 | 2nd & 6: Tennessee goes quickly and washes Alabama's slanters out of the play, leaving Dylan Sampson one-on-one with Moore who misses his tackle and allows a first down. 
• Snap 9 | 1st & 10: Another stop route to Keyton with Arnold playing off coverage and another 8-yards after the catch gives the Vols another first down. 
• Snap 10 | 1st & 10: Alabama brings Moore on a blitz from the STAR position and finally gets a break as Dont'e Thornton Jr. drops a nice ball from Milton. 
• Snap 11 | 2nd & 10: The break doesn't last long as Milton takes what Alabama gives, dumping a pass off to his tight end who's assigned to Jaylen Key, however Key is so far off him he doesn't make the tackle until McCallan Castles gains seven yards.
• Snap 12 | 3rd & 3: Another chance for Alabama to make a stop ends up in a Volunteer first down. Cooper Mays washes out Tim Keenan and their guard takes Lawson out. Sampson takes Key, Campbell and Chris Braswell for a ride and another first down.
• Snap 13 | 1st & Goal: Tennessee goes back to the first few plays of the drive with an option call and this time Milton decides to keep it. Pitching it may have resulted in a Tennessee touchdown as the play appears to have been blocked well on the edge. Credit the defensive front as both Tim Smith and Tim Keenan beat their blockers to take Milton down. 
• Snap 14 | 2nd & Goal: Milton tries to throw a pass to his tight end but Lawson rises and tips the ball up out of the back of the end zone in a nice display of reading and reacting.
• Snap 15 | 3rd & Goal: On the money down Tennessee gets Sampson one-on-one with Lawson, but a simple miss from Milton forces the Vols to kick a field goal. After a 15-play drive and three other opportunities to get Heupel's offense off the field, it's hard to call this an Alabama win, but preventing a touchdown is always a positive.

6. As bad a Jalen Milroe drive as Alabama's had since the Texas game. 

This drive features many Jalen Milroe problems that the Crimson Tide supporters have been harping on all season. Really ugly and leads to an Alabama turnover.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: Alabama back in 12 personnel and Roydell Williams takes the carry. He gains four good yards but does a more explosive running back find the hole opening off Tyler Booker's left hip?
• Snap 2 | 2nd & 6: First, before the Milroe criticism begins there must be credit to the Volunteer defense. They weren't fooled one bit by the play-action and really it's just a two-man route against five defenders. The Volunteers rush four and the remaining two hang in buzz zones. The biggest issue is Milroe rolling right, while his receivers are all working left. He bails out of clean pocket, because everyone is covered, but why bail to the opposite side of the field as your receivers? Give the Texan a gold-star for throwing the ball away and not taking a sack, which is something he's struggled with. However he ran himself into no man's land with no help. 
• Snap 3 | 3rd & 6: Absolutely painful rep from Milroe as he's sacked and fumbles the ball away to the Vols. Tennessee only rushes four and really the line does well! Milroe gets to the top of his drop at the same time that James Pearce Jr. does, way too slow. On top of that, he has plenty of room in the pocket to step into, but stands like a statue as Kadyn Procter is pushed into him by one of the best rushers in the SEC. It's hard to see the receivers but it looks like Amari NiBlack breaks open, albeit in a tight window. Milroe's lack of awareness on the rush kills this play and puts the defense in a horrendous position. Absolutely not ideal after they just played a 15-play sequence.

7. Sometimes better to be lucky than good.

Alabama held the Volunteers to just a field goal after a sudden change situation and Tennessee has to kick itself watching this possession on film on Sunday. 

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: Joe Milton uses his athleticism and finds a bit of a break in the Alabama defense by completing a pass on the sideline to Squirrel White who was lined up where a tight end might play. Deontae Lawson was trying to get to White who was sliding across the formation but the speed was just too much. Credit Milton for an accurate pass. 
• Snap 2 | 1st & Goal: Tennessee calls a fade to Kaleb Webb, a redshirt freshman on Kool-Aid McKinstry. A bit of a strange call given McKinstry's pedigree but you can tell it's the only option on the play by the effort, or lack thereof by the Volunteer receivers at the top of the screen. McKinstry plays his man well, some may argue too physically but singular screenshots lie. Milton's pass is in the only play that Webb can get it, but it's a low percentage play-call.
• Snap 3 | 2nd & Goal: Players, not plays. What is Heupel doing calling QB-power into the boundary manned by Dallas Turner? Turner not only sets the edge by splitting the double team but he creates trash for Milton to run around and he's cleaned up by a nice hit by Lawson. Strange call.
• Snap 4 | 3rd & Goal: Knoxville product Jacob Warren could've made the play of his life by scoring in Bryant-Denny Stadium and putting Tennessee up 17-points. The Vols pseudo bunch formation gets Bama confused just enough to get Warren free and Milton chooses correctly by throwing him the ball. Maybe he mistimes his jump? Maybe the ball is a little high? Either way the pass is incomplete and Tennessee settles for a second-straight red-zone field goal.

8. Tennessee's defensive coordinator has Rees's number 

Alabama moves the ball across midfield but is stumped as the Volunteers are all over the Tide's final sequence, forcing another punt.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: The final snap of the first quarter comes out of the Pistol in 12 personnel and I personally can't get enough. Kadyn Proctor slams into the lineman that Tyler Booker picks up and moves onto the second level. Robbie Ouzts leads Jase McClellan to the hole he picks up six to get the drive going.
• Snap 2 | 2nd & 4: Kendrick Law is so fun to watch with the ball in his hands. Not only is he extremely fast, but he runs aggressively with good balance. He takes the pop-pass around the end for a big gainer. You'd like a better block from Ouzts, but Law's speed makes it irrelevant.
• Snap 3 | 1st & 10: Decent blocking at the point of attack gets McClellan three yards. I can't help but wonder if it's a tight end making the block instead of Law does he go for bigger yards?
• Snap 4 | 2nd & 7: Alabama hasn't run many screens this year and this may have been a good one, but Jermaine Burton puts forth some, suspect effort blocking and the play is blown up. Burton's clearly looking for a kill-shot block, but luckily misses - blindside block anyone? While Booker and Seth McLaughlin just aren't fast enough to get out on the edge and make their blocks either.
• Snap 5 | 3rd & 7: This play is hard to figure out as it appears to be a read option. The defensive end sits on the quarterback, yet Jalen Milroe keeps the ball. It's hard to say that McClellan would have gained too much had he handed it off, but this play was busted from the start. It's not a sack, but the big tackle for loss takes any thought of going for it on fourth down off the table.

9. Alabama's defense is finding its footing. 

The Alabama defense has largely played well throughout the half, except for some select situations. The defense responds with a three-and-out and gives the Tide offense another shot to find itself.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: Tennesse swings a pass out to its running back and Caleb Downs flies in to make the tackle. While the tackle isn't clean, pay attention to who's flying into the screen again to clean up the play if necessary, Justin Eboigbe.
• Snap 2 | 2nd & 7: You can't have drops if you want to beat Alabama and Tennessee is up to at least three now after Ramel Keyton drops a Joe Milton pass that likely would have reset the chains for the Tennessee offense.
• Snap 3 | 3rd & 7: Tennessee calls a bit of a screen to the running back in the flat, but Terrion Arnold beats any blocker to the spot and forces the Vols to punt. The play was dead from the jump as Tim Keenan and Eboigbe were also in hot pursuit.

10. Alabama gets on the board thanks to Jermaine Burton.

After the Crimson Tide defense battled and battled the offense finally rewarded them with a long drive with points to cut the lead back to just one possession.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: The drive starts off rocky as Jalen Milroe bounces in the pocket and never finds anyone. We never see the receivers from the TV cut so there's no way to tell if anyone is open, but Milroe mitigates the sack by trying to scramble up the middle and makes it back to the line of scrimmage.
• Snap 2 | 2nd & 10: This is gorgeous play design by Tommy Rees. Look at Seth McLaughlin and Jaeden Roberts pulling away from the play to deceive any linebacker keying them. Tyler Booker and Kadyn Proctor both block down, also giving the illusion that the run is going right. But it's a pitch all the way and Amari NiBlack, Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Bond do just enough. However this play is all Jase McClellan, breaking three Tennessee tackles and setting the Tide up with a first down.
• Snap 3 | 1st & 10: McClellan once again runs hard and gains three yards, but the blocking assignments don't really make sense, or aren't executed correctly. Robbie Ouzts has the backside seal, but CJ Dippre doesn't block a soul. Weird.
• Snap 4 | 2nd & 7: Tennessee blows up a second screen on a second straight possession. JC Latham is beat by his man, the others are released as a part of the play. Milroe doesn't get the ball up and over the defender and it sets up a third-and-long.
• Snap 5 | 3rd & 7: Tennessee rushes four and Alabama chips on Proctor's side with NiBlack. The Vols appear in a cover three with special attention to Burton, but his out route is wide open due to the respect paid to him over the top. He makes a big reception and the drive continues.
• Snap 6 | 1st & 10: Rees is getting fun as the drive continues and he gets an easy completion to Bond. The play-action sucks in a lot of Vols and it leaves Bond alone in the flat with room to run.
• Snap 7 | 1st & 10: Dippre is blown up at the point of attack and McClellan really has nowhere to go. 
• Snap 8 | 2nd & 10: Could Roydell Williams have been more patient on this run? Potentially. NiBlack leads through the hole but doesn't really get much push and Williams only comes up with three yards.
• Snap 9 | 3rd & 7: How did the Vols not know Burton was going to be the target here? Tennessee rushes four and drops seven. Burton runs a little reverse whip route and even though Milroe is a little late on the throw, he still has the separation and makes the catch in between two defenders for the Tide's first touchdown.

11. Tennessee's first failed fourth-down attempt.

Tennessee pushes it's luck after a tough re-spot of the ball. I like the aggression to go for it, but why go into a tight formation against the strength of the Alabama defense? Hind-sight is 20-20, but why not punt it away and make the Alabama offense drive the length of the field?

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: Jusin Eboigbe squeezes down the line of scrimmage and refuses to be sealed off, stopping the Tennessee tailback for a loss.
• Snap 2 | 2nd & 11: Eboigbe again makes the tackle after a short gainer
• Snap 3 | 3rd & 8: Jihaad Campbell moves Joe Milton off his spot with a rush off the edge. Dallas Turner makes the tackle but gets lucky as Milton goes down elbow first to bring up a fourth down after a reviewed spot.
• Snap 4| 4td & 1: First, why are you in a shotgun Heupel? I know it's the Tennessee offense, but sheesh you've now started the play from five-yards further behind the line to gain. Dallas Turner overruns the play, but does force Joe Milton back inside. Campbell also overruns the play but gets in on the tackle with Deontae Lawson and of course Eboigbe is in on the finish. The Volunteers fail to block all four players and hand the Tide momentum on a silver platter.

12. Jalen Milroe interception. 

The Crimson Tide squander a golden opportunity to take the lead for the first time on the afternoon as Jalen Milroe has his second turnover throwing into the end zone. 

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: Tommy Rees goes back to the Kendrick Law pop-pass well and it doesn't yield near as much, but Law's athleticism does gain a few yards.
• Snap 2 | 2nd & 6: Senior Omari Thomas just gets the better of Kadyn Proctor and sticks Jase McClellan for a short gain.
• Snap 3 | 3rd & 4: Tennessee is called for simulating the snap. A tough call from the objective point of view as the inside backer appeared to be signaling to his defense, but the Tide will accept a first down.
• Snap 4 | 1st & 10: Tennessee appears to be calling a blitz and the front just can't handle it well enough to spring McCellelan for more than three yards.
• Snap 5 | 2nd & 7: Tennessee appears to be playing single-high coverage while rushing five. With that as the context, Milroe chooses his playmaker in one-on-one coverage. Jermaine Burton wins off the line but the ball is a little under thrown and Doneiko Slaughter makes a good play, getting his head around and his hand up to break up the pass. Just very unlucky that Jaylen McCollough is there for the interception to wipe points off the board.

13. Tennessee marches the field and takes momentum into the locker room

The Vols do exactly what you want with a turnover and go 80 yards and score a touchdown to take a 13-point lead.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: Joe Milton starts with a QB-draw as he's got six blockers for five defenders in the box. 
• Snap 2 | 1st & 10: Milton makes a tough throw to the wide side of the field for another first down to Squirrel White. Alabama's DBs play it well, but Malachi Moore respect's White's speed, giving him the underneath route.
• Snap 4 | 1st & 10: Alabama's stunt to the right side of the formation takes Jihaad Campell out of the play but Justin Eboigbe makes a nice individual play.
• Snap 5 | 2nd & 5: Alabama rushes five and Campbell almost gets home to Milton, but he delivers a strike downfield to Romel Keyton who makes an excellent catch over Terrion Arnold. Sometimes you just tip your cap, but the Vols are marching.
• Snap 4 | 1st & 10: Jabari Small presses the hole and gets what he can after a short gain.
• Snap 5 | 2nd & 6: Another patient, tough run by Small gives Tennessee a third and short. 
• Snap 6 | 3rd & 3: Tennessee calls QB-power as it has seven blockers for seven defenders and the Volunteers barely convert.
• Snap 7 | 1st & Goal: Another handoff to Small is largely defended well, he uses his speed to get to the edge but Jaylen Key prevents him from gaining much.
• Snap 8 | 2nd & Goal: Small takes another handoff up the middle as Tennessee is trying to ensure they score without much time for Alabama to operate. 
• Snap 9 | 3rd & Goal: Alabama rushes six to try to pressure Milton but he does a nice job creating space and Caleb Downs gets a little bit picked on the route, leaving the tight end open for a touchdown Tennessee.

14. What was the thought process? 

This drive doesn't get a play-by-play breakdown as it makes no sense from a coaching perspective. There's only 12-seconds left in the half, Alabama is getting the ball first coming out of the locker room. Jalen Milroe just threw an interception on the last drive. The last thing you want is him throwing another going back the other way. Why Alabama didn't kneel it out, I'll never know. Instead Jaeden Roberts got banged up and Milroe took another sack. Very strange strategy to me.

15. Two plays and touchdown.

Alabama comes out of the locker room and gets right back on the scoreboard. 

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: This looks like an RPO considering the receivers are all running pass patterns. The Tennessee linebackers are totally fooled and run themselves out of the play as one goes with CJ Dippre and the other follows Isaiah Bond across the formation. This leaves Jase McCellan one-on-one in the second level and he rips off a big gainer.
• Snap 2 | 1st &10: The bomb shot to Bond injects Bryant-Denny Stadium with a fresh dose of hope but you have to wonder what the Tennessee secondary is doing here. Clearly Temerion McDonald slips as Bond breaks by him, but what is the middle safety doing? What does he see that causes him to stop his drop? His eyes are initially on Jermaine Burton running across the field, but once he passes him off perhaps he has a hard time finding Bond. Well, Jalen Milroe doesn't. He hits him for a big touchdown.

16. Invalid fair catch and three-and-out.

An invalid fair-catch is when a player on the return team signals for a fair-catch but doesn't make the reception. In those cases the ball is dead where the ball is caught. Tennessee had a player on its front line make a signal with his arm over his head, and the referees deemed it an invalid fair-catch, thus downing the ball where the kick returner caught the ball, on the four-yard line.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: Alabama has moved into odd on first down. Deontae Lawson and Jaylen Key blow up the runner for minimal gain. You don't want to be backed up near the student section while momentum is mounting.
• Snap 2 | 2nd & 7: Lawson is running a bit of a blitz and just follows the pulling lineman right to the ball for a tackle for loss.
• Snap 3 | 3rd & 7: Lawson once again fights through the blocker and Trey Amos, now in for an injured Terrion Arnold fights through a block and finishes off the ball carrier to force a fourth down.

17. The Alabama anaconda squeezes a bit closer.

The Tide could take the lead with a touchdown but unfortunately has to settle for a field goal. Patience is the name of the game as the screws are tightening on Tennessee as the comeback is in full swing.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: This was one of Jalen Milroe's most impressive plays as he carries out the play-action play fake and rolls to his right. Milroe moves off his first read and finds CJ Dippre over the middle, hits him right in stride and he makes a decent run after catch.
• Snap 2 | 1st & 10: Tennessee jumps offsides.
• Snap 3 | 2nd & 5: Tennessee jumps offsides again.
• Snap 4 | 1st & 10: Alabama incurs a snap infraction.
• Snap 5 | 1st & 15: A second really impressive play by Milroe on this drive as he moves off his first read again, likely Amari NiBlack and then finds Isaiah Bond down the field.
• Snap 6 | 1st & 10: A very strange and poorly executed play as Milroe is a bit indecisive on when to give the ball to Roydell Williams. Maybe Williams could have gained a few more yards if NiBlack had been able to block his man.
• Snap 7 | 2nd & 9: Jase McClellan takes a handoff for four hard yards. 
• Snap 8| 3rd & 5: Tommy Rees seems to go into a little conservative mode, but maybe it's because the defense is playing well and the Tide didn't want to risk a turnover. Tennessee runs a stunt on the left side and it ends up going right into McClellan, forcing Alabama to take and make a 42-yard field goal.

18. Alabama's second fourth down stop. 

It's important to note during this sequence that Tennessee still has the lead. I was really on board with Heupel going for it on fourth down on the first occasion but not on this occasion. Tennessee just forced Alabama to kick a field goal, punt the ball away and give your defense a chance.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: Chris Braswell benefits off the back end's good coverage but he also has a disciplined rush on the quarterback. Joe Milton tries to escape but Braswell folds back down and inside and record the sack. 
• Snap 2 | 2nd & 13: Milton makes the correct read on a QB-read and Jihaad Campbell appears to bite on the fake, leaving a nice gap for Milton to run through for a first down. 
• Snap 3 | 1st & 10: Milton decides to test Kool-Aid McKinstry again with his freshman receiver and once again it goes poorly. McKinstry is going step for step with Kaleb Webb and uses the sideline as another defender to force an incompletion.
• Snap 4 | 2nd & 10: Josh Heupel tries a shovel pass but Jah-Marien Latham, Chris Braswell, Campbell and more are all over it.
• Snap 5 | 3rd & 9: Remel Keyton makes a nice double-clutch catch while Trey Amos is right there to prevent yards after catch and Tennessee should punt the ball away and pin Alabama deep. 
• Snap 6 | 4th & 1: For the second straight fourth and short Tennessee goes into a tight formation from the shotgun. Campbell comes through unblocked and stops the ball carrier as Malachi Moore and Jaylen Key come in to help clean it up for the stop.

19. Alabama takes the lead.

Alabama exerts its will on Tennessee and finally breaks down the Volunteer lead to seize control of the game for good.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: Pistol out of 12 personal, oh how I love thee. Jase McClellan gets the handoff going downhill and punishes the Tennessee defender. I love watching Jaeden Roberts go through a hole followed by Robbie Ouzts.
• Snap 2 | 2nd & 2: For the second time in the game Jalen Milroe rolls to his right and nobody is in the passing pattern to that side of the field. It is good that Milroe doesn't force the ball across his body into traffic, but can he roll left? Or could Tommy Rees send some of these passing concepts to the right? Another small positive is Milroe throwing the ball away to avoid a sack. 
• Snap 3 | 3rd & 2: What a risky play by Milroe, but I suppose throwing to Jermaine Burton is always worth the risk. The loud receiver makes another catch in traffic in a must-have-it situation and lets everyone know about it. Could Milroe have passed it to CJ Dippre in the first level for a first down? Sure, but where's the fun in that?
• Snap 4 | 1st & 10: Rees calls one of his few QB-runs per game in a backbreaking spot for Tennessee and Milroe rips off a 13-yard run to set the Tide up with first and goal.
• Snap 5 | 1st & Goal: Is Tennessee demoralized? It certainly seems like it and McClellan is the one to take advantage of it, bouncing his handoff outside and beating every Vol to the corner to give Alabama the lead.

20. Volunteer unraveling. 

What do you do when you can't run the ball, you can't pass down field and the game is getting away from you? Spiral out of control.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: Tennessee is called for holding on the edge on Jihaad Campbell as Josh Heupel tries to out-flank Alabama for the millionth time.
• Snap 2 | 1st & 19: Dallas Turner spots the slot screen right away and tackles the Tennessee player for a loss. 
• Snap 3 | 2nd & 21: Tennessee sort of concedes the drive by rushing right up the middle to almost no-avail. What are you supposed to do against this Alabama defense?
• Snap 4 | 3rd & 17: Alabama moves Joe Milton off his spot with just three rushers. Milton finds his tight end late releasing out of the backfield but he's cleaned up quickly by Campbell in the open field and Tennessee punts the ball away.

21. Alabama melts the clock and stretches the lead to seven. 

Starting on the 12-yard line, melting nearly eight minutes off the clock and stretching the Crimson Tide lead to seven-points is a nearly perfect drive and it's hard to remember a time when Alabama wasn't in control of this game.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: I don't remember seeing a counter in this game yet, so it's great to see Tommy Rees breaking out new concepts as the game is wrapping up the third quarter. 
• Snap 2 | 2nd & 5: Roydell Williams will want this run back when he sees it on tape. A jump cut to the inside of Robbie Ouzts and he may still be running as you're reading this. 
• Snap 3 | 3rd & 2: Jase McClellan is dead to rights here on this toss. Jermaine Burton, for all his great receptions, gets blown up on this run, but McClellan breaks two tackles and keeps the chains moving.
• Snap 4 | 1st & 10: The Volunteers must be tired of seeing McClellan run as they force Jalen Milroe to keep it on the read-option. Alabama doesn't mind that as Milroe runs for right at 10 yards.
• Snap 5 | 1st & 10: Milroe misses Amari NiBlack high in a tight window. Could he have opted for Isaiah Bond underneath? Perhaps, but you live to fight another day.
• Snap 6 | 2nd & 10: Kadyn Proctor's late get-off on the snap allows the Tennessee defender to penetrate and blow this play up before it had a chance. 
• Snap 7 | 3rd & 10: One of the few times Milroe scrambles up the middle on a passing play and it works to perfection for just enough for a first down. The sophomore quarterback is learning when and how to move the chains in a crucial situation.
• Snap 8 | 1st & 10: Tennessee calls a safety blitz as they know Alabama is trying to run the clock out and Alabama only gains a little. 
• Snap 9 | 2nd & 9: Pistol, 12 personnel. Jase McClellan run for a big gainer. Like clockwork. This is Alabama's most successful running formation by far.
• Snap 10 | 1st & 10: Pistol, 11 personnel, not so much. Only a yard or so for McClellan.
• Snap 11 | 2nd & 9: Milroe misses wide to Burton for an incompletion. He had time and had his man, just missed him. 
• Snap 12 | 3rd & 9: Milroe again misses wide to Burton but the official bails out the Tide with a ticky-tacky pass interference call that gives Alabama a new set of downs.
• Snap 13 | 1st & 10: Williams gets a toss play and sees the cut-back lane well for a short gain.
• Snap 14 | 2nd & 5: Another safety blitz from Tennessee as the Volunteers are getting desperate and McClellan's stopped in the backfield.
• Snap 15 | 3rd & 7: Milroe is sacked off his blindside while the entire line is sliding right. Someone missed an assignment and it looks like Proctor the way he turns back and runs after the free rusher. 

22. Jihaad Campbell scoop and score.

The icing on the cake is the non-offensive touchdown for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: You don't like to see Deontae Lawson diving and missing at a ball carrier, but you love seeing Jihaad Campbell fighting off two blockers to make the tackle on first down. 
• Snap 2 | 2nd & 6: Tennessee goes back to a quick screen and Malachi Moore sets a nice edge. Alabama gets four hats to the ball in Campbell, Caleb Downs, Tim Keenan and Justin Eboigbe. 
• Snap 3 | 1st & 10: There's no reason for me to describe it when The Goat already has.

Coach Saban draws up the Play of the Game from @AlabamaFTBL's win over Tennessee.#RollTide | @cbsbank pic.twitter.com/MDBr4dpVYi

— Alabama Athletics (@UA_Athletics) October 22, 2023

23. Joe Milton is officially out of answers. 

The long bomb Milton throws on this drive is essentially his last hope as he knows his offense has had no answers in the second half.

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: Deontae Lawson shoots the gap perfectly and wraps up the Tennessee back for almost no gain. 
• Snap 2 | 2nd & 9: Lawson rushes Joe Milton off his spot and the big armed quarterback rolls out right and throws a big bomb. He almost gets it to Alabama SID Josh Maxson on the sidelines but falls a few yards short.
• Snap 3 | 3rd & 9: Tennessee actually moves the pocket a little on this third down pass, but at this point Milton is done. His pass to the sideline sails high and the Vols punt as the second half ineptitude continues.

24. Kool-Aid, catch the dang punts! 

Kool-Aid McKinstry let yet another punt go by and therefore the Tide is backed up on its own 3-yard line. Tough to melt the rest of the clock from there and Tennessee stays, theoretically, in the game by coming up with a three-and out.

25. Tennessee's final fourth down failure. 

Alabama's still got to play the game out as there's still enough time for the Volunteers to get back in the contest. 

• Snap 1 | 1st & 10: Josh Heupel runs Joe Milton on another QB-draw. The Volunteers, and other teams have had success running the draw and expect LSU to try it with Jayden Daniels in a few weeks. 
• Snap 2 | 1st & 10: Milton throws out wide quickly, before the rush can arrive, and Trey Amos breaks up the pass. He's had a nice game replacing Terrion Arnold and this experience is invaluable.
• Snap 3 | 2nd & 10: Milton's still got a cannon and is firing to the sidelines. He squeezes in a pass for a good gainer.
• Snap 4 | 3rd & 3: One of the few slants it seems like the Volunteers tried goes for a first down to Romel Keyton.
• Snap 5 | 1st & 10: Another QB-draw goes for a big gainer and a first down. 
• Snap 6 | 1st & 10: Milton decides to try Kool-Aid McKinstry one-on-one again and yet again the ball falls incomplete. Not smart to try the future first round pick.
• Snap 7 | 2nd & 10: False Start on Tennessee. Credit the crowd. 
• Snap 8 | 2nd & 15: A second slant on this drive gives the Volunteers another nice gainer.
• Snap 9 | 3rd & 5: Jaheim Oatis gets in on the quarterback pressure and Milton is forced out of the pocket and misfires into the end zone. 
• Snap 10 | 4 & 5: False Start on Tennessee. Credit again goes to the crowd. 
• Snap 11 | 4 & 10: Milton's pass is nowhere near the mark and the Vols once again turn it over on downs. 

26. Smoke in Bryant-Denny distracted the offense.

Alabama's offense goes three-and-out again. Maybe it's the Tennessee defense's refusal to quit, or maybe its the haze of cigar smoke filling up Bryant-Denny Stadium preventing the Tide from executing at a high level at the end.

27. One last Dallas Turner sack celebration.

The game ends on this final drive and just like the prior week that saw Dallas Turner get a huge sack against Arkansas to put things to bed, he said night-night to the Bryant-Denny Stadium crowd and put the Tennessee Vols to sleep.

"Third Saturday" Celebrations and Wolverine Cheating on The Joe Gaither Show