‘That scares them’ — Paul Finebaum explains why Alabama’s loss to Tennessee will sound the alarm for Crimson Tide fans
The Vols took it to Bama on Saturday night and left no doubt who was the far tougher team. And that’s cause for concern, per the well-known pundit.
The Tennessee Vols took the field against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday afternoon, and by the time the sun had set, beneath a fog of celebratory cigar smoke wafting through the stadium air, there was zero doubt who was the better football team.
And there was no doubt in Tennessee’s 26-10 victory over the Crimson Tide who was the more physical team as well. Tennessee’s defense dominated, holding Alabama to 201 total yards and just 54 rushing yards on 26 carries. The Vols also grinded it out on the offensive end, totaling 150 rushing yards and putting together two double-digit play touchdown drives in the second half to put the game away.
It really was a physical bullying by the Vols against the Crimson Tide. And that’s what has notable pundit Paul Finebaum believing that Alabama fans are particularly worried about their program, as he discussed with Matt Barrie on Sunday morning.
Paul Finebaum says ‘that scares them’ regarding Tennessee’s physical dominance over Alabama in 26-10 win
“I think the thing that concerns Alabama fans the most this morning is how physically beaten Alabama was, and that scares them,” Finebaum said. “Because even though their schedule looks manageable, they still have a road game at LSU, and they have Auburn at home. Don’t need to add anymore to that. And he is on that cut line right now. He’s one win away from not going to the playoffs in (2026), and that is going to hurt badly.”
There’s no doubt that Alabama has spent eight of it’s nine lives this year with their second loss, and particularly with it being as dominant as it was. The Crimson Tide certainly looked physical and fast in wins impressive blowout fashion against Kentucky and Mississippi State, but they were anything but that in Knoxville. And that has to be of concern if they’re going to run the table and make the CFP, which they’ll likely have to do.
LSU shut down Mississippi State and Texas A&M at home. Bama will have to go to Baton Rouge, which is a comparatively hostile venue was what they experienced at Neyland Stadium. And Auburn just proved they’re more than a handful by knocking off Georgia in Athens.
The Crimson Tide will have to find a way to get far tougher than they were in Knoxville. Or it’s going to be the second time in three years that the Tide will be at home watching the playoff on TV.
