KINGSVILLE

Alabama football  | Tennessee Henry To’oTo’o sat in the dimly lighted tunnel outside the visiting locker room as Tennessee fans flooded the Neyland Stadium field.

Before To’oTo’o went to talk with media, he was waiting for his coach, Nick Saban, to wrap up a postgame news conference. To’oTo’o waited while gazing at the concrete floor. He appeared to be attempting to make sense of what had just transpired and had a serious expression on his face.

On Saturday, No. 8 Tennessee (6-0, 3-0 SEC) scored 52 points in opposition against him and No. 1 Alabama. And the Crimson Tide (6-1, 3-1) suffered their first defeat to the Vols since 2006, falling 52-49.

The defense’s generally dreadful performance was highlighted by Tennessee’s last drive, during which they advanced down the field to set up the game-winning field goal. “Played way too softly at the end,” said Saban.

So what is the next step for the defence? To’oTo’o stated that there is always room for improvement.

All the way around, To’oTo’o remarked. The linebackers up front, followed by the back end. Everybody. To accomplish the objectives we have set for ourselves, we must all get better.

The objectives remain the same. Alabama still has a chance to win the SEC West and qualify for the SEC Championship. But if the Crimson Tide wants to make it back to the College Football Playoff, it will take nearly flawless performance.

There is no doubt that the defence needs to do much better.

It allowed the Vols 567 yards and seven touchdowns.

The Vols were second in the nation with a 46.8 point per game average going into the contest. Although Alabama football was expected to give up its most points since a 1907 game against Sewanee, Tennessee was still expected to score some points.

But big plays started to cause issues over time. The secondary for Alabama struggled to make plays and avoid being pierced in the air. Hendon Hooker, the quarterback for Tennessee, did not always feel pressurised. As a result, he frequently had time or quickly threw the ball.

Alabama’s defence

Alabama’s defence gave up too much on the ground as well. 182 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns were conceded by the Crimson Tide.

Saban claimed that defending Tennessee’s receivers and allowing huge plays were more of a concern than the no-huddle approach.

18.3 yards were allowed each reception in Alabama. Football games won’t be won that way.

They tried to get their top receivers on safety because we were attempting to play nickel, which produced a lot of mismatches, according to Saban. “We gave up big plays a number of times when they did that.”

Jalin Hyatt in particular more so. The Vols’ receiver hauled in touchdown receptions for yards of 36, 60, and 78. He ended the day with a progam single-game record five touchdowns in all.

After Tennessee’s explosive start, Alabama football  made modifications to slow some of the bleeding. When it happened, Tennessee’s offence did too. When Alabama’s defence appeared to be making sense, the Vols would immediately start moving the ball or make a big play.

Eight individuals were dropped, according to Saban. We benefited from that in the second quarter. n the third quarter, we carried out the identical action. In order to have better matches versus them, we played some penny. In the game, we successfully adjusted a few things. We lost way too many important plays. They scored on big plays even late in the game.

The defence made some fourth down stops and caused two turnovers. Those are indisputable. But each chunk play made life challenging.

The Vols covered 45 yards in three plays and only required 15 seconds on their last drive.

To’oTo’o remarked, “They do an excellent job getting the playmakers the ball and getting them in space where they want them.

When Alabama’s defence returns to Tuscaloosa, it must put the problems that led to the 52-point outburst behind it if it hopes to bounce back.

The season is still ongoing, To’oTo’o declared. “We still have a lot of season remaining.”