Coach DeBoer: This Is YOUR Team, And This Is YOUR Coaching Staff

Well, Alabama fans, that one stung.

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Saturday’s trip to Knoxville didn’t go the way we hoped. The Crimson Tide walked into Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium ranked No. 6 in the country and walked out with a disappointing 26–10 loss to the No. 14 Volunteers.

Let’s be honest. This wasn’t the Alabama football we expected to see. Not even close.

I can handle losing a tough game when our opponent simply plays better. That’s football. But watching the Tide struggle to get anything going offensively was frustrating, especially knowing what this team is capable of doing.

The play calling was hideous.

And now? We get to hear about it from Tennessee fans for the next year! It obviously means something to beat Bama. Or when we beat ourselves. Two weeks in a row.

Sorry, but I need to vent.

Sometimes the statistics explain exactly why a football game went wrong. Unfortunately, Alabama’s numbers against Tennessee are just plain ugly.

Look at the numbers for a minute:

Alabama managed just 201 total yards, compared with Tennessee’s 347. The Tide gained only 54 yards on the ground, while the Volunteers piled up 150 rushing yards.

And third-down conversions? Alabama converted just two of 13 attempts.

That’s a tough way to win a football game.

The turnover battle was another major problem. Alabama gave the ball away four times, while Tennessee had two turnovers. When you’re playing a ranked SEC opponent on its home field, you simply cannot afford to make that many mistakes and expect everything to work out.

Tennessee took advantage, and Alabama paid the price.

This is where my frustration really kicks in.

Alabama finished with 147 passing yards and just 54 rushing yards. Quarterback Keelon Russell threw for 147 yards, completed 19 of 29 passes, and threw two interceptions. He also scored Alabama’s only touchdown on a 19-yard run.

Those numbers tell us the offense had a difficult afternoon.

The Tide managed 10 points, scoring a touchdown and a field goal in the second quarter. Unfortunately, Alabama didn’t score again after halftime.

Meanwhile, Tennessee scored a touchdown in each of the final two quarters.

You can’t expect your defense to keep a team in the game forever when the offense can’t sustain drives or put points on the board.

Alabama needs to find some answers before the next kickoff.

Like, where was our Offensive Coordinator?

As much as I hate saying it, Tennessee deserves credit.

The Volunteers outgained Alabama, controlled the clock, ran the football effectively, and made the most of their opportunities. Ick.

Running back DeSean Bishop was particularly impressive, rushing for 159 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries. Those two second-half touchdowns helped Tennessee pull away.

Congratulations to the Volunteers. They won the game.

But now it’s time for Alabama to look in the mirror.

The Tide has to improve its offensive execution, protect the football, and find a way to establish a more effective running game.

Nobody expects Alabama to be perfect every Saturday. But Alabama fans expect a team that competes, executes, and plays with determination.

Saturday in Knoxville fell short of those expectations.

There’s no time to dwell on this loss forever.

Saturday, October 24, brings Homecoming to Tuscaloosa, and Texas A&M will be visiting Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Central on ABC.

Homecoming is always a special occasion in Tuscaloosa. Former students return to campus, old friends reunite, and the city fills with Crimson Tide pride.

But let’s not kid ourselves. Texas A&M presents another serious challenge.

Alabama cannot simply show up wearing crimson and expect to win. The Tide needs to correct the mistakes we saw against Tennessee and play a much more complete game.

The Aggies will have their own plans, and Alabama needs to be prepared.

I’d love nothing more than to see the Tide put this disappointment behind us and give the Homecoming crowd something to celebrate.

The numbers from Knoxville make it clear that Alabama has work to do. The offense must become more productive, the turnovers have to stop, and the team needs to play with greater consistency.

Texas A&M won’t make things easy.

I’m ready to put this Tennessee loss behind me. And Georgia too.  I’d just appreciate it if the Tide gave me something better to talk about next weekend!

Remember, Kalen DeBoer, this is YOUR team, and this is YOUR coaching staff.

Roll Tide!