Alabama’s Defense Needs Work

During Tennessee's massive win over the Alabama Crimson Tide, Hendon Hooker and the Volunteer offense averaged eight or more yards a play.

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The Volunteers became the first team in a decade to do this against a Nick Saban defense. The last time this happened against Alabama's defense was when Johnny Manziel and the Texas A&M Aggies did it in their 2012 victory over the Crimson Tide.

"I think the big issue of the game was not the no-huddle. It was covering their receivers," said Saban. "They created lots of mismatches, we were trying to play nickel and they often got their best receiver on our safeties. We started dropping eight guys into coverage and that helped. We did the same thing in the third quarter and we made some really good adjustments but gave up too many big plays".

The good news for Alabama is that this is only their first loss of the season. In Saban's time with the Crimson Tide, four out of his six national championship teams lost at least one game. Another positive for the Crimson Tide is that Tennessee is not an SEC West Team. Currently, the Crimson Tide are still in contention for an SEC West title, an SEC Championship, and a National Championship.

If Alabama wants to end the season hoisting the College Football Playoff National Championship trophy in Los Angeles, then the Crimson Tide defense has to buckle down and get way better.