Alabama survives Tennessee's upset bid and wins 19-14

Saturday was the Vols' best chance to beat Alabama since a 12-10 defeat in 2009, but a late Alabama touchdown and an ensuing Josh Dobbs fumble meant the Tide moved to 7-1 with the 19-14 win in advance of its Nov. 7 showdown with undefeated LSU.

Tennessee took a 14-13 lead with 5:49 remaining on an 11-yard touchdown run by Jalen Hurd. The score woke a lethargic Alabama offense up.

Until its final drive, the Tide offense would seemingly counter each positive play with a penalty or immediately start to sputter. After Hurd's touchdown, quarterback Jacob Coker exploited the one-on-one matchups between his receivers and Tennessee's corners and the Tide covered 71 plays in an efficient eight plays and 3:25.

The drive was capped off by, who else, running back Derrick Henry, who scored his second rushing touchdown of the game. Henry finished with 28 carries for 143 yards and two touchdowns. It was his fourth-straight game with 26 or more carries.

Tennessee had 2:24 to score a potential game-winning touchdown after Henry's score. But after a quick first down, Dobbs took two consective sacks. The second was from Ryan Anderson, who came from Dobbs' right side. Somehow, Dobbs didn't see him or anticipate the hit. The ball popped free and was recovered by Alabama.

The fumble wasn't the only missed opportunity the Volunteers will be lamenting after the game. Tennessee kicker Aaron Medley missed three field goals, including a 51-yarder at the end of the first half that would have tied the game at 10-10. Had any one of those gone in, Tennessee is looking at a field goal to either tie or win the game on its final drive rather than a touchdown.

And while the losing streak is now one away from double digits, the loss should be a barometer of progress for the Volunteers. It was the first time since that 2009 game that Tennessee hadn't lost to Alabama by 14 or more points. And the Vols didn't look overmatched at all; the Tennessee defense had five sacks.

But it was ultimately Alabama's day. Coach Nick Saban said after the game that his team executed when it mattered most and he knows full well that a replication of the display against Tennessee likely won't be good enough to beat LSU in two weeks. The Tide now have a bye week to prepare for the Tigers' visit to Tuscaloosa, a game that could very likely decide the champion of the SEC West and help give us some clarity to the College Football Playoff picture.

For more Alabama news, visit TideSports.com.

For more Tennessee news, visit VolQuest.com.

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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

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