How Alabama's failure to play team football cost the Tide vs. Tennessee

The Alabama football offense had numerous opportunities in the first half against Tennessee.

The Crimson Tide defense made sure of that.

Malachi Moore forced a fumble and grabbed an interception, and Jaylen Mbakwe added another pickoff as the Alabama defense notched three takeaways before halftime.

Still, the Crimson Tide didn't emerge with a single point from any of the takeaways. Alabama only had a 7-0 lead at halftime. The defense had done its job, but the offense couldn't deliver.

The inability to play team football ultimately cost Alabama losses in the second half. As a result, No. 7 Alabama lost 24-17 to No. 11 Tennessee on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

“We're just not able to get the offense and defense together right now and play great team football,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said. “There are times when we need to be able to zone out and have that killer instinct. And right now, you know, we're not doing that. And it's not like they don't try. It’s just the execution that needs to be better.”

The execution didn’t come too late for the Crimson Tide either (5-2, 2-2 SEC). The Tennessee offense got the better of the Alabama defense in the second half, scoring a touchdown (not counting a kneel at the end) and a field goal on three of seven drives.

But the Crimson Tide defense stepped up late, forcing a punt and a field goal on separate drives of the fourth quarter in the final minutes. Each of these points gave Alabama's offense a chance to score and either take the lead or tie the game after the field goal.

However, Alabama's offense failed to take advantage of either. With about two minutes left, the Crimson Tide failed to get their first down. It was fourth-and-22 after a personal foul on Kendrick Law.

Then Tennessee kicked a field goal to take a 24-17 lead, but Alabama got another chance with 1:30 left.

On the first play of the game, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe threw an interception. Game over.

In the loss to Vanderbilt, the Alabama defense couldn't be stopped when the Alabama offense made plays. Then, in the loss to Tennessee, the Alabama offense couldn't make plays when the defense was stopped.

“We just can’t play team football,” DeBoer said. “Can't get it together. One side of the ball has outstanding moments and the other side stumbles.”