After Alabama’s 26-10 loss to Tennessee in Knoxville, the conversation around the Crimson Tide is tilting hard toward the offense - and especially Ryan Grubb’s play calling.
This came on the heels of last week’s loss to Georgia, so Alabama’s trip to Neyland Stadium carried real weight. Instead of a reset, the Tide walked out with back-to-back losses for the first time since 2013, and they dropped further in the AP Top 25.
What stood out most was not just that Alabama struggled, but how stubbornly the offense stayed stuck. Grubb is clearly a capable play caller, but the bigger issue was his failure to adjust once Tennessee showed its defensive plan.
The Tide needed the ball out fast. They needed quarterback Keelon Russell to use his legs when plays broke down.
Instead, Alabama spent too much time waiting for something bigger to open up, and the Vols made them pay for it.
When Russell did move, Alabama could finally gain ground. But far too often he was looking deep, trying to force a big play that wasn’t there. That led to long holds, and those long holds turned into five Tennessee sacks.
The offense did produce some positive snaps through slants, checkdowns and screen passes, but those looks were too scarce. When Alabama tried to push the ball downfield, the results usually turned sour. Grubb can scheme explosive gains, but the ability to adapt to what the defense is actually giving him remains a concern.
The body language told its own story as the game got away. Alabama looked defeated, unmotivated and uninterested, and that is not the standard people associate with the program. Former Alabama coach Nick Saban would not let his team linger in that kind of mood after a loss; the expectation was always to move on with energy.
If there was one unit that held up, it was Alabama’s defense. The offense did it no favors.
After one quarter, the Tide had the ball for 5:45 and had managed only four passing yards and 17 rushing yards, while Tennessee already led 9-0. Even so, the defense kept Alabama close early and gave the team a chance to settle in.
The Tide got pressure on Tennessee quarterback George MacIntyre and, at first, did a strong job against the run. But that resistance faded as the game wore on, and Tennessee pulled away. DeSean Bishop was a big reason why, using his elusiveness, footwork and strength to stay alive through contact and finish with two touchdowns and 159 rushing yards.
Russell’s first-half numbers looked rough, but they don’t tell the full story. He is still young and inexperienced, and Neyland Stadium is not an easy place for a quarterback to find his footing.
Tennessee also didn’t give him much room to breathe. Whenever he had a chance to throw downfield, the pressure or coverage shut it down.
Still, the offense had to help him more. The Tide needed easier completions and more variety to let him settle in.
After the first quarter, Russell was 2 of 6 for four yards. He also held the ball far too long at times, which opened the door for Tennessee’s pass rush.
That said, he wasn’t blameless. When his receivers were covered, Russell needed to recognize it sooner and take off more often. He did run, but Alabama probably needed even more of that to keep the offense moving.
Should’ve, would’ve, could’ve.
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