Offensive Line
Nathanael: B+
The Vols’ offensive line played the best I’ve seen them play against Alabama in a long time. It helped that the Tide played a lot of young linemen because of injuries to their veterans before and during the season, but UT’s line got a lot of push in the run game and helped the Vols convert third-and-shorts a lot. Tennessee was 4-for-5 on third down plays of four yards or less. Tennessee’s running backs gained over 120 yards on the ground, and the line only allowed two sacks before the game got out of hand late in the fourth quarter. There were times where Darnell Wright and Wanya Morris looked like true freshmen, but Trey Smith and Brandon Kennedy played very well in the interior.
Ben: A-
When was the last time we saw a trio of Tennessee running backs average 5.4 yards per carry against Alabama? The Vols O-line mauled the Crimson Tide and was letting them know it too. Trey Smith and Brandon Kennedy were terrific. Tennessee did allow three sacks, but overall, the Vols offensive live beat up Alabama’s front seven.
