Takeaways from Alabama Football's Second-Half Stomping of Tennessee
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Light up those cigars, folks.
After a heartbreaking, streak-ending loss last season, the Alabama Crimson Tide rolled in the second half on its way to a 34-20 win over No. 17 Tennessee.
The Crimson Tide continues to find ways to win, overcoming a 13-point halftime deficit to remain unbeaten in conference play. Now, Alabama will have to weeks to rest up, get healthy and prepare for No. 19 LSU.
Here are my takeaways from the Crimson Tide's second-half obliteration of one of its oldest rivals:
What Happened in the Locker Room?
In the span of about 20 minutes, and two marching bands playing, Alabama went from looking like a team lucky to make a bowl game to looking like a national championship favorite.
The Crimson Tide outscored the Volunteers 27-0 in the second half, behind another dominant defensive performance. If Alabama had begun the game with the same intensity it finished with, the result may have never been in question.
Instead, the Crimson Tide took a heavy punch from Tennessee, which took a 20-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
As the cliche states, sports are a tale of two halves, and Saturday was no different.
Jihaad Campbell Has Arrived
Nobody wants to go against one of the best rushing teams in college football without its starting linebacker, but that's what Alabama had to do.
With Trezmen Marshall out, Jihaad Campbell stepped in and delivered once again, just like he did with Deontae Lawson out at Mississippi State.
Campbell was second on the team in tackles with 10, and he was the recipient of a non-offensive touchdown in the fourth quarter — scooping and scoring the ball that Chris Braswell violently knocked loose from Joe Milton III.
Campbell hasn't been able to find much playing time so far in his Crimson Tide career, but this season, he has improved steadily week-by-week, and now looks like a future NFL guy on defense.
Necessary to mention — Trey Amos also did a nice job filling in for Terrion Arnold after he left the game with what Nick Saban called a "slight concussion."
Defense, Secondary Shakes Off Slow Start
After surrendering 275 total yards in the first half, the Alabama defense held Tennessee to just 129 total yards after the intermission.
The Crimson Tide didn't force a turnover in the first half. In the second half, it was a turnover that essentially put the game away.
At halftime, Saban said the defense needed to get off the field on third downs — the Volunteers went 6-for-11 on third down in the first half. The second half was a different story — Tennessee went 2-for-7 in those situations.
Alabama had zero sacks in the first half. It had three in the second half.
Bryant-Denny Stadium Brought the Noise
Crimson Tide fans have oftentimes been considered reactionary, but when it's a big game with implications, things are different.
Saban called for the fans to make an impact on his Thursday night radio show, and the 100,000+ people in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday afternoon delivered.
Tennessee racked up eight penalties on the day, including back-to-back false start penalties at one point in the second half.
Now, the fans responsible will have a week off before bringing that same energy back for Alabama's matchup against LSU. Expect that one to be loud, too, with a berth in the SEC championship likely on the line.
Physical and Dominant in the Trenches Late
After running the ball for 16 yards on 17 attempts in the first half, the Crimson Tide pounded the football at the Volunteers down the stretch — rushing for 122 yards on 25 attempts in the final two quarters.
Jase McClellan is a great running back when he's given the ability to find space. He's shown that consistently throughout his career. He was a workhorse on Saturday, running the football a career-high 27 times for 115 yards and a touchdown.
All of that talk during the offseason about beating opponents into submission? Alabama delivered on that Saturday against Tennessee.
Enjoy those cigars, folks. Enjoy them for 365 days, until the Crimson Tide and Volunteers meet again in "The Third Saturday of October."
