Steve Spurrier reacts to outcome of Tennessee vs. Alabama game

The Third Saturday in October belonged to Tennessee this year, taking home a win in one of the SEC’s most storied rivalries with a 24-17 home victory against Alabama this past weekend. Handing the Crimson Tide their second loss of the season and moving to 6-1 on the year heading into a bye week.

The win wasn’t the prettiest for the Volunteers, but victories are hard to come by in the SEC and often come down to a few plays in the game. Which former head coach Steve Spurrier recently talked about on Another Dooley Noted Podcast.

“Well they hit that 3rd & 6 touchdown, if they don’t hit that, and Nico (Iamaleava) did make a perfect throw on that one, but he was off on so many during the course of the game,” Spurrier said about Tennessee’s quarterback. “But that one was there.”

“And let’s say he makes a bad throw there, or they miss that, so they kick a field goal and go into overtime. So either team could have won.”

Alabama and Tennessee traded blows throughout the low scoring game, but Saturday’s matchup seemed highlighted by missed opportunities. With both starting quarterbacks completing under 60% of their passes and missing out on big plays, Iamaleava in particular who failed to connect with open wide receivers downfield on several occasions.

Iamaleava did connect when it mattered most, finding Chris Brazzell on the 16-yard touchdown that Spurrier perviously mentioned. Which gave the Vols a fourth quarter lead they’d hold onto for the remainder of the game. But Spurrier believes Tennessee will have to win more convincingly to maintain their winning ways.

“I mean when you play a three-point game, or this, that, and the other, it’s a play or two that determines the winner. And of course, Tennessee’s won both of the last two at home, Florida and Alabama,” Spurrier explained. “So if they keep playing those games though, they’re not going to win all of them like that’s like that. It runs out after a while.”

Since opening up SEC play, Tennessee’s margin of victory has decreased significantly, relying on their defense and running back Dylan Sampson more than ever before. Which will bode well unless they suffer a second loss this season, a circumstance the Crimson Tide now find themselves in as they attempt to hold on to their College Football Playoff hopes.