Tennessee football makes a big playoff statement by bullying rival Alabama | Estes

Gentry Estes, Nashville TennesseanSat, October 17, 2026 at 11:20 PM UTC

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KNOXVILLE — Rapid reaction from 14th-ranked Tennessee’s 26-10 upset win over No. 7 Alabama on a beautiful Third Saturday in October at Neyland Stadium:

Talking points -

Well, how about that? Just when everyone was ready to write off Tennessee’s chances this season, the Vols made a massive statement on Oct. 17. They painted a defensive masterpiece against a respected Alabama offense, bullying and outplaying the rival Crimson Tide for an emphatic victory that sent the Vols’ playoff hopes soaring in a haze of cigar smoke. It was Tennessee’s third consecutive win over Alabama in Knoxville.

This was an upset, but it was no fluke. Defense and run game can still be an effective combo for a physical football team, and it certainly was for Tennessee on this day. This game, in fact, could've had a more lopsided score than it did, because the Vols kept settling for field goals instead of touchdowns in the opening half. They kicked four of them before marching 60 yards on nine plays for a third-quarter touchdown and a 19-10 lead. That was more than enough, given Tennessee’s defensive dominance and DeSean Bishop, who ran for 147 yards and two touchdowns.

During the opening half alone, Tennessee’s defense: forced three Alabama turnovers, shut out the Tide (0-for-7) on third-down conversions and held quarterback Keelon Russell to nine — NINE — passing yards during his offense’s first eight possessions. Then, to the start the second half, the defense got a pivotal stop on fourth-and-short. As the Vols’ offense was working the game clock below five minutes in the fourth quarter, the Tide still had only 149 yards of total offense and a meager seven first downs.

George MacIntyre started and played throughout for Tennessee at quarterback. While the Vols’ offense dealt with some familiar issues and struggled to finish drives early, MacIntyre was increasingly efficient and effective as the game wore on, the crowd kept roaring and Bishop kept churning through a tiring Alabama defense.

Where the game turned

Despite controlling much of the first half, Tennessee still led just 12-10 at halftime. And Alabama was driving to start the second half, reaching the Vols’ 40 before facing a fourth-and-1. The Crimson Tide went for it. That proved an unwise decision. Alabama running back Daniel Hill was stuffed for no gain, and Tennessee’s offense was able to turn that possession change into its first TD.

Key number

49.6 — Points that Alabama averaged in its first five games this season, all lopsided wins. That same Crimson Tide offense looked lost against this Vols defense.

What I liked

Credit first-year coordinator Jim Knowles for sensational work in turning Tennessee’s defense into a dominant unit that’ll provide a chance against any opponent, no matter who is out there for the Vols at quarterback.

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What I didn’t like

Tennessee’s offense still needs more polish. The Vols should’ve been up by more than 12-10 at halftime. That was the score, though, because of the offense’s inability to punch in red-zone touchdowns. And because of an early interception that went through Radarious Jackson’s hands deep in Vols territory, setting up a Crimson Tide touchdown.

(Didn’t help, either, that Vols linebacker Brayden Rouse for some reason went near a rolling punt, causing a foolish turnover, but the defense played hero — naturally — after that miscue.)

Having said that . . .

When it came time to kill off the game in the fourth quarter, Tennessee’s offense was able to do it. The Vols were more physical than the Crimson Tide on both lines of scrimmage throughout this game. That told you something about Alabama. It told you even more about Tennessee.

Reach Tennessean sports columnist Gentry Estes at gestes@tennessean.com and hang out with him on Bluesky @gentryestes.bsky.social

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee football makes a big playoff statement by bullying rival Alabama | Estes

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Source: “AOL Sports”