KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — In the second quarter, Nick Saban wrenched the headset from atop his head and screamed at Quandarrius Robinson, “What are you doing?” The language might have been a little saltier as the frustration erupted through his words and body language.
Robinson had just touched the ball inexplicably and then fumbled it to Tennessee. AlabamaThe defense received its first stop in the game. Instead of the Crimson Tide scoring and driving to reduce the deficit by four points, it was the Volunteers who scored and drove to increase the lead to 18.
“What are you doing?” proved to be a fitting commentary for a variety of situations Alabama found itself in during Saturday’s walk-off 52-49 win for Tennessee.
A program-worst 17 penalties?
Numerous mental lapses
Dropped passes?
It was impossible to slow down or stop a defense. Tennessee?
It is not possible to bracket or double. Jalin Hyatt?
What are you doing?
Let’s be clear: The loss took place inside Neyland Stadium on Saturday — Alabama’s first loss to Tennessee since 2006 — but it’s been coming for weeks. It could have easily been.