ROLLING TIDE: ‘Bama Puts Whooping on Tennessee

Perhaps, the Vols should’ve packed up and headed back to Knoxville right after the opening kickoff when ‘Bama recovered an onside kick. It was downhill from there. Nothing went right for Tennessee, and in front of 92,000 fans they were absolutely embarrassed.

‘Bama QB John Parker Wilson completed 32 of 46 for 363 yards, three touchdowns, and not a single interception. DJ Hall, Wilson’s favorite receiver, caught 13 of those passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns, setting a single-game school record for receptions. ‘Bama’s offense racked up 510 yards of total offense against an up and down Tennessee squad.

The 41-17 score was the most lopsided victory for Alabama in this rivalry since 1986. And Alabama had lost 10 of the last 12 meetings in the series.

Not bad for Saban’s debut in this rivalry.

On the other side of the ball, ‘Bama was able to subdue a prolific Erik Ainge, holding him to one touchdown and picking off one of his 35 attempts.

The Vols didn’t help themselves, either; eleven penalties cost them 81 yards.

The loss, their second in the SEC, puts Tennessee in the middle of the SEC East behind South Carolina, Florida, Georgia and Kentucky. While the win keeps ‘Bama as a serious contender in the West.

—R. Cooper