Monster Second Half Propels Alabama Past Tennessee

The Crimson Tide erased a 13-point halftime deficit to secure the rivalry win.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — All hope looked lost for No. 11 Alabama, as quarterback Jalen Milroe got sacked on the final play of the first half and the teams jogged to the locker room.

The scoreboard read Tennessee 20, Alabama 7.

What proceeded to happen after the teams emerged from the tunnel in the second half was mind-blowing. Both teams looked almost entirely opposite what they looked like in the first half. Alabama scored 27 consecutive points, and won the game by a final score of 34-20.

The Crimson Tide upped its energy and intensity on both sides of the ball, executing at a much higher level on offense and stifling the Volunteer offense at the same time. Tennessee was held scoreless in the second half.

Milroe completed 14-of-21 passes for 220 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Jase McClellan ran for 114 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries.

Tennessee had the ball down by a touchdown in the middle of the fourth quarter, but a scoop-and-score for a touchdown by linebacker Jihaad Campbell put the game squarely out of reach.

The win moves Alabama to a 7-1 record heading into the bye week, and an undefeated record in SEC play. The Crimson Tide keeps inching closer to an SEC Championship berth, and has the chance to all but lock it up with a game against LSU looming in two weeks. 

Live Updates

How to Watch: Alabama vs. Tennessee

Who: No. 11 Alabama (6-1, 4-0 SEC) vs. No. 17 Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC)

When: Saturday | 2:30 p.m. CT

Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium | Tuscaloosa, Ala.

TV: CBS

Live Stream: fuboTV (Start your free trial)

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network: Play-By-Play: Eli Gold | Analyst: Tyler Watts | Sideline: Christian Miller

Series: Alabama leads 58-39-7

Last meeting: The Crimson Tide scored 49 points on the injured shoulder of Bryce Young, but it wasn't enough. Tennessee defeated Alabama for the first time since 2006 on a game-winning field goal by Chase McGrath as time expired.

Last time out, Alabama: The Crimson Tide was outscored 15-3 in the second half by Arkansas, but held on to win 24-21. Alabama led 24-6 early in the third quarter before allowing the Razorbacks to get all the way back into the game.

Last time out, Tennessee: The Volunteers defeated Texas A&M, 20-13, in Knoxville last Saturday. Dee Williams returned a punt 39 yards for a touchdown on the go-ahead score. Tennessee's defense limited the Aggies to just 277 yards of total offense and forced two turnovers.