UT-BAMA: Vol turnovers will make or break chances for upset

Alabama’s defense showed signs of life in the second half of the win over Georgia. (Unv. Alabama Media Relations)

By TIM GAYLE

Turnovers have cost Tennessee in each of the last two weeks.

As the Volunteers prepare for their annual showdown with Alabama, the game can be decided by the simplest of formulas, stated Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban. It’s the same formula he used to describe second-ranked Alabama’s win over third-ranked Georgia on Saturday night.

“Probably the difference in the game, when you just look at the game totally, was turnovers,” Saban said. “We always talk about turnovers having a huge impact on the outcome of a game and the turnovers, converting those turnovers to scores, that was basically the difference in the game.”

Tennessee (2-2) faced the same problem, falling apart in the second half against Georgia two weeks ago and then getting routed by Kentucky at home last week. In those six quarters, Tennessee committed seven turnovers.

“It doesn’t matter who you play, you’re not going to have a chance,” Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt said. 

Saban agreed.

“I think they have made progress,” Saban said. “You look at what a team does, down in, down out, how their players play. They’re playing with a lot of effort, toughness, they’re very well coached, they’re in the right spots. But I think when you turn the ball over in this game, I don’t care if it’s us or them or whoever it is, it’s really hard to overcome.”

Alabama, a three-touchdown favorite, will travel to Neyland Stadium to play the Volunteers on Saturday. The game will be televised by CBS.

“It means a lot to a lot of people in the state of Alabama,” Saban said. “And I’m sure that because it’s a rivalry game, we’re going to get the absolute best version of Tennessee’s team.”

The series has always been streaky, but Alabama has a series-best 13 straight wins in a storied rivalry that dates to 1901. In addition to that impressive streak, the Crimson Tide will put a few others on the line Saturday:

• Alabama has won 28 consecutive games vs. Southeastern Conference East Division teams, dating back to a 2010 loss at South Carolina.

• Alabama has defeated 93 consecutive unranked teams, the longest streak in college football history, dating back to a 2007 loss to Auburn.

• Alabama has scored 35 or more points in 17 consecutive games, the longest streak in college football history, dating back to the 2018 College Football Playoff national championship game with Clemson.

“They’re one of the most explosive teams in college football, probably the most explosive team in college football,” Pruitt said. “Really, really good up front, one of the better offensive lines that I’ve seen in college football, probably, in my career. They obviously have dynamic playmakers on the outside, two really good runners, play multiple tight ends and Mac Jones is being as efficient as any quarterback that I’ve seen in this conference.

“Defensively, they have lots of talent up front, talent in the back end, got really good linebackers. They’ve given up some plays … but I think some of it’s circumstance. If you look at them offensively, they’re scoring so fast they have to play a lot of snaps on defense.”

When Alabama’s defense has gotten off the field, it’s generally because they have forced a turnover. Alabama ranks 19th nationally in turnover margin, forcing seven turnovers while committing just three. Tennessee ranks 50th, forcing six turnovers but losing seven. And all seven, as already noted, have come in the last six quarters.