No. 11 Tennessee Upsets No. 7 Alabama, Dealing Blow to Crimson Tide's Playoff Hopes

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — No. 11 Tennessee earned a statement 24-17 win on Saturday against No. 7 Alabama, dealing another blow to its rival’s College Football Playoff hopes in the Crimson Tide’s first season under Kalen DeBoer.

After a stagnant first half on both sides, Tennessee came alive offensively in the second half, including a 16-yard touchdown pass from Nico Iamaleava to Chris Brazzell II in the back of the end zone with 5:52 left to put the Vols ahead by four. A few possessions later, Tennessee sealed the win with a Will Brooks interception of Jalen Milroe with 1:24 to play.

Tennessee Proves Against Alabama it’s Not a One-Hit Wonder Under Josh Heupel

A parade of fans came with fist bumps and selfie requests for athletic director Danny White. One Tennessee support staffer walked into the tunnel with a cigar in his hand and tears in his eyes.

Numerous fans dug up grass — especially the most valuable turf underneath the Power T at midfield and the orange checkerboards in the end zone — to take home as a souvenir. Some stuffed patches in their pockets.

Anyone who was in Neyland Stadium two years ago to see, hear and smell (to the limits of olfactory tolerance) Tennessee’s 52-49 upset of Alabama will count it among their most memorable experiences in sports. I’m confident in speaking for everyone, even the most seasoned observers of stirring moments, on that. The emotional swings and dramatic thunderclaps of that game, leading to the Vols’ first win in this rivalry in 16 years and their first win ever over Nick Saban, blended into a postgame scene of jubilation and cigar smoke. Dejection and anger. Fans pouring onto the field and UT players not wanting to leave it. Goal posts down and goal posts floating.

Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama Program Lacks the Discipline, Mystique of the Nick Saban Era

Vols having some fun.

Jalen Milroe’s wild ride continued Saturday afternoon, as he delivered another roller-coaster performance in Alabama’s 24-17 loss at Tennessee. And less than a month after he looked like a rising NFL Draft prospect against Georgia, it’s fair to wonder now if Milroe ultimately might be better served heading back to Tuscaloosa for a fifth season.

The Third Saturday In October: A High-Stakes Rivalry Game

This year's edition of the Third Saturday in October rivalry feels like a College Football Playoff eliminator. No. 7 Alabama (5-1) and No. 11 Tennessee (5-1) are both coming off stressful wins preceded by surprise losses. 

Tennessee needed overtime to beat Florida, 23-17, a week after a road loss to Arkansas. Meanwhile, Alabama barely held off South Carolina, 27-25, following its stunning upset at Vanderbilt. Each fanbase is nervous about how wobbly Alabama and Tennessee have looked in recent weeks. 

Both teams have the talent to be real SEC and national championship contenders, but the path gets considerably harder with a loss on Saturday. Especially when you remember Alabama still has No. 19 Missouri and No. 8 LSU on the schedule, and Tennessee has a road trip to No. 5 Georgia on Nov. 16. A loss Saturday will demand perfection the rest of the way while a win will go a long way come selection day. 

Alabama vs. Tennessee: Game-Day Updates

Follow along with LIVE updates from Alabama vs. Tennessee on Saturday

Date: Saturday, Oct. 19 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET Location: Neyland Stadium -- Knoxville, Tennessee TV: ABC | Live stream: fubo (Try for free)

A Look At The Key Matchups And Why Tennessee Will Win

QB play needs to be better: Jalen Milroe shot up the Heisman Trophy betting odds after Alabama's win over Georgia but has fallen back to earth in his last two games. He is currently at +1200 to take home college football's most prestigious award, according to DraftKings. There's still a tendency to try to do too much, leading to bad decisions and bad situational awareness at times. Throwing two interceptions and taking a safety against the Gamecocks has to get cleaned up to win against Tennessee. The Volunteers' starting QB Nico Iamaleava may have the opposite problem, focusing so much on not making a major mistake that Tennessee is missing explosive play opportunities. Iamaleava hasn't broken the 200-yard mark since Game 2 and has thrown for only one total touchdown in three SEC conference games. Tennessee can rely on a strong ground game, but it still needs a lot more from its ballyhooed starting quarterback.

Tennessee's defense is legit: Under Josh Heupel, the Vols have made the most noise with what they do offensively, but this year the defense has carried them. Led by defensive coordinator Tim Banks, Tennessee's defense has been superb in 2024. As our Brandon Marcello pointed out in his great Banks profile, Tennessee ranks second nationally in total defense (249.8 yards per game), yards per play (4), yards per rush (2.2) and third-down conversions allowed (23.8 percent). Tennessee faces its toughest test yet against Milroe, Ryan Williams and the rest of that Alabama offense, but its defensive line should cause some problems against an average Alabama offensive line.

Expect a rollicking game: Last season Tennessee raced out to a 20-7 halftime lead in Tuscaloosa only for Jalen Milroe and the Crimson Tide to dominate the second half and win 34-20. Two years ago, Tennessee also got out to a hot start (21-7 first quarter lead). Alabama stormed back but the Volunteers held the Tide off for a wild 52-49 finish that ended with the goalposts paraded around Knoxville that night. It'll be rocking inside Neyland Stadium and no matter which team gets off to an early lead, buckle up for what should be a lively back-and-forth affair between two teams with plenty of experience in high-stakes rivalry games. 

Both teams have been inconsistent this season with highs like Alabama's win over Georgia and Tennessee's over Oklahoma paired with shocking lows of road losses. Alabama is the more explosive team and has shown it can win in a track meet-type game, but its defense has left a lot to be desired so far this season. Vanderbilt straight up outplayed Alabama's defense and got what it needed over and over again on third down. Tennessee should have success running the ball against the Tide, but there remain questions whether Nico Iamaleava can make enough big plays to win a game like this. To this point this season, he hasn't been able to though it largely hasn't caught up to Tennessee outside of the Arkansas loss. With what should be a raucous environment, you are best off betting Tennessee to cover in a tight one. Pick: Tennessee +3

The Game: A Quarter-By-Quarter Breakdown

First Quarter

Alabama wins the toss and elects to receive.

Rough start for the Tide offense. They punt from their own 14 on 4th and 21.

Dylan Sampson fumbles the ball. Bama's defense recovers it. First and 10 Alabama at its own 18.

Jalen Milroe and Ryan Williams can't connect on 3rd and 16.

Volunteers get the ball at their own 14.

Tennessee goes three-and-out and punt from their own 13-yard line.

1st and 10 Alabama from the TN 49-yard line.

Milroe's pass is incomplete.

Milroe's fires a bullet to Williams right at the 35-yard line.

1st and 10 Alabama at the 35, Law brings it from the 35 to the 15, a 20-yard line for Kendrick Law.

Gain of five on Justice Haynes grab.

2nd and 5, Milroe's taken down for a loss of four.

3rd and 9, Milroe's pass is complete to Haynes for a first and goal.

Milroe's pass to Williams is intercepted in the end zone.

1st and 10 Vols at the Alabama 46-yard line.

Tennessee gets backed up 10-yards.

1st and 20 at the 44-yard line, handoff puts TN at the 49.

2nd and 12, ball is overthrown.

Flag on Alabama for pass interference. First down TN.

Nico's pass is dropped. It was knocked away by Domani Jackson. Another 3rd and 9.5 for TN.

Alabama's defense brings the blitz. Tide doing a good job forcing a fourth down.

Vols long field goal attempt is no good. Scoreless game with 1:51 left in 1Q.

Both teams have turned it over and both sides have failed to convert.

END OF FIRST - Alabama 0, Tennessee 0

Second Quarter

Pass interference on the Volunteers. That'll result in a Bama first down.

Four penalties, 35-yards now on Tennessee.

Milroe hands it off, ball gets inside and to the 34-yard line.

Milroe fakes a pass, keeps it and picks up a Tide first down. 8-yards on the pick up.

After an Alabama timeout, Milroe gets it to Germie Bernard. Bama inside the red zone.

Milroe throws a 5-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Williams.

Alabama 7 Tennessee 0 with 13:01 left in 2Q.

Malachi Moore comes up with a pick on Tennessee's next possession.

First and 10 Alabama at the 36.

Handoff to Justice Haynes right up the gut.

2nd down, and 6, Milroe fires and his pass is incomplete.

Holding call on Bama makes it 2nd and 17 at the 43-yard line.

Milroe's pass is complete to Haynes.

3rd and 14 for Alabama at the 45-yard line. Delay of game backs up the Tide.

Milroe backed up, throws a pass, incomplete and it's out of bounds.

1st and 10 Tennessee.

Vols fire and catch is made for a first down.

Tennessee's offense getting a little momentum.

Deep pass is complete for a first and goal for TN

In the Bama red zone, Bama's defense flushes QB out of the pocket and Que Robinson hits Nico Lamaleava and ball is intercepted by former Clay-Chalkville Cougar Jaylen Mbakwe. That's three takeaways in the first half for Alabama's defense.

Alabama forces a field goal and TN misses its second field goal of the day.

Alabama 7, Tennessee 0 with 4:06 left in 2Q.

CJ Dippre hurdles a TN defender and gets eight-yards on the play.

Bama facing 2nd and 2 on the hurry up on their own 40-yard line. Handoff to Haynes and he picks up the first down.

Milroe loses two on the play.

Milroe's pass is complete to Bernard for another Alabama first down.

1st and 10 Alabama from the 46, false start by the Tide.

Milroe's pass is complete to Williams.

3rd and four, Milroe's pass is complete to Williams.

4th and 1, timeout TN.

4th and 1 Alabama, Milroe gets the snap, pushes forward and the Crimson Tide get the first down.

Milroe's pass is incomplete to Williams.

2nd and 10 at the 36-yard line, Milroe's pass is incomplete.

3rd and 10 with :45 remaining in the first half, Milroe's pass is incomplete.

Graham Nicholson's 54-yard field goal falls short.

HALFTIME: Alabama 7 Tennessee 0

Third Quarter

Vols 1st and 10 from their own 25-yard line.

TN's pass is incomplete near the 35-yard line.

Pass complete to Dylan Sampson. Six yards.

Third and four for the Vols, slant is caught just enough for a first down.

Ball on the 38, Nico's deep ball is knocked away at the last minute by Keon Sabb.

2nd and 10 for the Vols, pressure coming and Nico's tripped and goes down. Great job by Deontae Lawson.

3rd and 20 for TN, Nico looking, pressure coming, steps up, scrambles and goes down at the 36-yard line.

Vols punt it away. Flags are down. Tide guilty of holding at two different spots.

1st and 10 inside the 10, Milroe hands it off to Jam Miller.

7-yard pick up by Jam.

1st and 10 ball at the 18, Milroe hands it off Miller who fights forward to the 24-yard line.

Alabama with four consecutive running plays. All with consecutive yardage.

Milroe keeps it and picks up the first down.

Handoff goes to Haynes and he fights just shy of the 40.

Haynes on the carry, that'll set up third and four.

4th and a couple and decision time. Tide kick it away.

Nico flushes left, runs for the boundary and gets out of bounds after getting 5-yards.

Sampson turns it up field and he's shoved out of bounds in Bama territory. 36-yards on the pick up.

Handoff to Sampson, Lawson knocks him in the deck after a two-yard pick up.

2nd and 8, Nico, stepping up, breaks free and he's got open field. He gets inside the 10.

First and goal Vols pass is in and out of the hands of the WR. Incomplete. Brings up 2nd and 10 from the Bama 9.

Pass interference on Alabama.

2nd and goal for TN, Sampson runs it in to put the Volunteers on the board.

Alabama 7 Tennessee 7 with 6:32 left in 3Q.

1st and 10 Alabama at the 25, Milroe fires a slant to Williams and that's good for a first down.

TN makes a stop.

Late flag comes in against the Vols giving Alabama another first down.

1st and 10 at the 48, Milroe with pressure coming, wisely throws it away setting up 2nd down and 10.

Offsides penalty on TN.

2nd and 5 Alabama at the 43, Milroe's bubble screen gets the Tide an 18-yard gain.

Milroe goes down with a one-yard loss.

2nd and 11, Milroe looks, fires and catch is made. Bama inside the 15-yard line. Dippre gets the first down.

1st and 10 Alabama at the 14, Milroe flips to Law and it's snuffed out by TN.

Milroe fires towards the end zone and his pass is incomplete on second down.

3rd and 13 at the 17, Milroe's pass in the end zone is incomplete.

Nicholson's 35-yard field goal attempt is good.

Alabama 10 Tennessee 7 with 3:11 left in 3Q.

First and 10 Tennessee, ball at the 25.

Iamaleava hits Dont'e Thornton for a 55-yard gain to the Alabama 3.

Setting up a 3-yard touchdown from Sampson on the next play.

TN takes its first lead of the day.

Alabama 10 Tennessee 14 with 1:00 left in 3Q.

1st and 10 Alabama at its own 25 yard line.

Milroe's pass is complete to Williams.

Face mask on TN adds to Alabama's big play.

First down Bama, Milroe facing pressure in his face, slings it out to Law.

Headed to the fourth quarter - Alabama 10 Tennessee 14.

Fourth Quarter

Milroe's pass is complete on a 28-yard connection from Milroe to Bernard. First and goal, Alabama.

Milroe hands it off and Haynes finishes with a 7-yard carry untouched. Alabama regains the lead.

Alabama goes 75-yards on six plays over 2:04 to score a touchdown.

Alabama 17, Tennessee 14 with 13:56 left in game.

Vols pass is overthrown bringing up a 3rd and two.

Tennessee gets the first down.

Nico's deep pass down the sideline is incomplete.

2nd and 10 TN at the 37, Moore gets the stop.

Handoff, gets to the edge and it's a Vols first down.

Flag on TN.

3rd and 10 at the Bama 45-yard line, flag on the play. Holding on TN.

3rd and 5, TN gets tripped up and brought back to the 42-yard line.

Vols punt it away.

Tennessee's defense forces a three-and-out.

Nico's deep pass down the sideline is incomplete.

2nd and 10 TN at the 37, Moore gets the stop.

Handoff, gets to the edge and it's a Vols first down.

Flag on TN.

3rd and 10 at the Bama 45-yard line, flag on the play. Holding on TN.

3rd and 5, TN gets tripped up and brought back to the 42-yard line.

Tennessee gets the first down.

Nico's deep pass down the sideline is incomplete.

2nd and 10 TN at the 37, Moore gets the stop.

Handoff, gets to the edge and it's a Vols first down.

Flag on TN.

3rd and 10 at the Bama 45-yard line, flag on the play. Holding on TN.

3rd and 5, TN gets tripped up and brought back to the 42-yard line.

7 plays, 54 yards, 2:43

(5:52 - 4th): Nico Iamaleava pass complete to Chris Brazzell II for 16 yds for a TD

(7:04 - 4th): Dylan Sampson run for 4 yds to the ALA 17

Tennessee punted Bama deep in its territory and forced a three-and-out and a punt:

(8:35 - 4th): James Burnip punt for 46 yds, downed at the TENN 46

Will these defenses ever get a stop again? Not sure there are any obvious halftime adjustments at play here, just quarterbacks making pinpoint plays and defenses that are looking more tired and less stout up front as the game progresses. Now the Vols are behind again as they look for a third straight touchdown drive.

(13:56 - 4th): Justice Haynes run for 7 yds for a TD

If not listed, please contact your TV provider.

Alabama gets the three-and-out it needed. 2:25 remaining

Alabama goes three-and-out. 4:35 remaining

Will Brooks picks off Jalen Milroe on first down. Tennessee is going to beat Alabama 24-14.

Just really don't like the call on the Kendrick Law personal foul that may end up being the mistake that loses this game for Alabama. Tennessee's Boo Carter gave him a tiny shove right after the play, then followed him and kept barking at him. Law turned around for a high shove, which is certainly a bad play, but Carter shot back with his right arm and simply missed. That reads to me as an offsetting situation rather than a call with an enormous impact on the final outcome.

Tide take over with 1:30 left at their own 25. They trail 24-17.

(1:30 - 4th): Max Gilbert 41 yd FG GOOD

Vols get the stop on fourth-and-22. 1:48 remaining.

Bama faces second-and-10 from its own 30. Two minutes to go.

Alabama gets the three-and-out it needed. 2:25 remaining

Alabama goes three-and-out. 4:35 remaining

Vols get the stop on fourth-and-22. 1:48 remaining.

Bama faces second-and-10 from its own 30. Two minutes to go.

The game ends with a final score of Tennessee 24, Alabama 17.

Tennessee's Big Win Is A Statement For The SEC

The Vols' victory was a huge statement for the SEC. Not only did they hand Alabama its first loss of the season, but they also proved that they're a legitimate contender for the conference title. With a key road game against Georgia coming up, Tennessee has an opportunity to make a real run at the playoffs. 

This win is a huge boost for Tennessee’s program and a sign that the Vols are here to stay. It will be interesting to see how Tennessee performs in the coming weeks, and whether they can continue their momentum and ultimately make a run at the playoffs.