Tennessee 26, Alabama 10: Four turnovers and DeSean Bishop sink the Tide

No. 14 Tennessee beat No. 6 Alabama 26-10 on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. The Volunteers did it by taking the ball away four times, running it 32 times with DeSean Bishop and turning early possessions into points even when the drives stalled.

Alabama never found a way to stay on the field. The Crimson Tide converted 2 of 13 third downs, ran for 54 yards and held the ball for 24:16. Tennessee had it for 35:44.

How it was won

Tennessee led 9-0 before the first quarter ended, all on Cooper Ranvier's leg. He made field goals of 29 yards at 10:05, 33 yards at 8:59 and 41 yards at 4:32. Three trips, three kicks, and an early cushion.

Alabama answered in the second quarter. Keelon Russell ran 19 yards for a touchdown at 10:13, and Conor Talty's kick made it 9-7. Ranvier added a 34-yarder at 5:19 for a 12-7 lead, and Talty hit from 42 yards with five seconds left in the half to cut it to 12-10.

That was the last time Alabama scored. Bishop ran 5 yards for a touchdown at 5:05 of the third quarter, and Ranvier's kick made it 19-10. Bishop scored again from 5 yards at 3:17 of the fourth, and Ranvier's extra point closed it at 26-10.

Bishop finished with 159 yards and two touchdowns on 32 carries, more yards on his own than Alabama's entire offense managed in three quarters of the box score's rushing column. Tennessee ran for 150 yards as a team and outgained Alabama 347 to 201, with a 20-12 edge in first downs.

George MacIntyre completed 21 of 31 passes for 197 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Mike Matthews caught seven passes for 85 yards, and DaSaahn Brame added three for 39. Tennessee turned it over twice, but Alabama scored only three points across the whole second half and first half combined after its touchdown.

Russell went 19 of 29 for 147 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions, and Alabama gave the ball away four times in all. Rico Scott led the receivers with four catches for 54 yards, and Marshall Pritchett had six for 39. Daniel Hill ran seven times for 34 yards and Trae'shawn Brown six times for 12.

It is Alabama's second straight loss after a 17-20 defeat to No. 2 Georgia. Before that, the Tide had won five in a row, scoring at least 45 points in each.

Against the number

Alabama closed as a 7.5-point favorite and lost by 16, so Tennessee covered comfortably. The Volunteers were +260 on the moneyline against Alabama at -325, and won outright.

The total closed at 50.5. The teams combined for 36, a clear under. Tennessee's kicking game and Alabama's stalled offense kept the scoreboard quiet, and only two touchdowns were scored after halftime, both by Bishop. Full closing prices are on the game page.

What's next

Alabama, now 5-2, hosts Texas A&M on Saturday, October 24, on ABC. The Tide will need a quicker start on offense and far fewer giveaways after a week in which the third-down and turnover numbers decided the game.

Tennessee, now 6-1, travels to South Carolina on Saturday, October 24. The Volunteers have won three straight since their only loss, a 17-20 game against No. 1 Texas, and this was the most complete of the three.