A suddenly different Tennessee didn’t just beat Alabama; it dominated the Crimson Tide. The Vols won, 26-10, on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. The score could have been 40-10.

What a game it was! Tennessee had too much of everything – defense, determination, DeSean Bishop and an offensive line that wore out the Tide in the second half.

Tennessee’s sophomore quarterback was better than Alabama’s sophomore quarterback.

This big win in George MacIntyre’s second start was lifetime memory material. He appeared confident and organized. He completed 21 of 31 for 197 yards. He lost one interception. He was sacked once.

Keeton Russell, supposedly destined for stardom, was 19 of 29 for 149 with two interceptions. He had a TD run but was sacked five times. There were occasional hints of panic.

Alabama suffered two other turnovers. It gained only 201 yards of total offense, its sixth-lowest mark of the century. It converted only two of 12 third downs.

Running back DeSean Bishop #18 scored two second half touchdowns to seal the win over Alabama at Neyland Stadium. (Photo by Elliot Walker/ TN Athletics)

Enthusiasm from the boisterous crowd made life difficult for the visitors. Josh Heupel thanked the fans.

“Part of the game for four quarters. Phenomenal atmosphere. Great win. Defense, suffocating. Elite performance.”

The postgame celebration was expensive. UT students led the charge as thousands crowded onto Shields-Watkins Field. The Southeastern Conference will inflict a $500,000 fine because Tennessee is a repeat offender.

Heupel said he was really proud of the players. They handled adversity. Four times early they had to settle for field goals, mostly because of their own mistakes. They were the tougher team in the second half.

“Great performance. They found a way to win against a good football team.”

The coach said they could enjoy it for a little while “and then start getting better tomorrow.”

There is motivation for improvement. The Vols are 6-1 and 3-1 against SEC foes. There is renewed speculation about playoff possibilities. Upsets have scrambled league standings.

One fan summed it up: “Anything is now possible.”

Everything seemed impossible in the first half.

The opening drive, 12 plays, four MacIntyre completions and 34 yards from Bishop, ended in frustration. Cooper Ranvier kicked a little 29-yard field goal.

The Vols got another opportunity when Jeremiah Telander strip-sacked Russell at the Tide 19. Tyree Weathersby recovered the fumble. Nothing else happened. Ranvier kicked a 33-yard field goal.

A short kick gave the Vols another chance. Ranvier made it 9-0.

Tennessee’s first possession of the second quarter was self-destruction personified – three false starts and a delay penalty. The second possession was brief. A MacIntyre pass was tipped and intercepted. Russell got away for a 19-yard TD run.

Tennessee responded with a 60-yard drive (Bishop had a run for 20). The net result was another field goal.

Fuzzy clock management by Tennessee and a holding penalty on Ty Redmond led to Alabama’s field goal with five seconds left in the half. That made it 12-10 at intermission.

Tennessee seized ownership of the second half. The defense smothered another Tide try on fourth-and-one and the offense drove for a third-quarter Bishop touchdown.

The fourth quarter featured the knockout, an 11-play, 73-yard drive that took 9:32 off the clock. Bishop got the points.

“We talked about this being a line-of-scrimmage game, boxing match mentality and having to win with physicality for four quarters,” said Heupel. “And I thought we did that. Proud of our football team.

“Bishop was elite. At halftime I said it’s going to be a big second half. And he had a big smile on his face, a glint in his eyes.”

Bishop ran hard, 32 carries, 159 yards and the two touchdowns.

Scoring summary:

Alabama 0 10 0 0 – 10

Tennessee 9 3 7 7 – 26

  • TENN: Cooper Ranvier 29 FG.
  • TENN: Ranvier 33 FG.
  • TENN: Ranvier 41 FG.
  • BAMA: Keeton Russell 19 run (Conor Talty kick).
  • TENN: Ranvier 34 FG.
  • BAMA: Talty 42 FG.
  • TENN: DeSean Bishop 5 run (Ranvier kick).
  • TENN: Bishop 5 run (Ranvier kick).

Marvin West welcomes comments and questions from readers at marvinwest75@gmail.com  Read more westwords. Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. Get all KnoxTNToday articles in one place with our free newsletter.