Alabama’s Shocking Defeat
A week after their blowout win over No. 1 Georgia, Alabama suffered a shocking loss, falling to Vanderbilt 40-35. This unexpected result has significant implications for both the College Football Playoff and the SEC title race.
Historic Win for Vanderbilt
For Vanderbilt, it was their first win against Alabama since Sept. 29, 1984, and it ended a 60-game losing streak against their first five opponents. The Commodores’ last SEC win came on November 19, 2022, when they defeated Florida.
Coach’s Pride in the Team
In a post-game interview, Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lee expressed his pride in the team. “It’s hard to put into words right now,” he said. “I believe in our team and what we are building. This is just the beginning for us. Tonight we will celebrate this incredible achievement.”
A Surprising Turn of Game
The result was the most surprising in SEC play, as No. 2 Alabama entered the matchup as a three-touchdown favorite. However, Alabama looked sluggish after their thrilling win over Georgia last week.
Vanderbilt quickly established dominance
Vanderbilt quickly established dominance, taking a 13-0 lead in the first quarter. The Commodores scored their first touchdown on the opening drive, with Cedric Alexander capping a 75-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown run that took just over six minutes to play. On Alabama’s opening possession, Heisman Trophy candidate Jalen Miller was intercepted by Randon Fontenet, who returned the pick 29 yards for a touchdown.
Alabama Fights Back
Miller responded with two touchdown runs in the first half, allowing Alabama to close the gap to 23-14 at halftime. The Crimson Tide continued to battle back, closing to 30-28 when Miller connected with freshman Ryan Williams for a 58-yard touchdown late in the third quarter.
Vanderbilt Seizes Momentum
However, Vanderbilt soon regained control. A field goal extended their lead to 33–28, and then a fumble was caused by a crucial sack of Miller, which was recovered by defensive lineman Yilan Ouattara. Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia capitalized on the turnover, throwing a 6-yard touchdown pass to Kamren Johnson, pushing the lead to 40–28.
Although Alabama managed to score a late touchdown on a Williams run, Vanderbilt successfully ran out the clock and scored three crucial first downs led by Pavia.
Alabama’s loss leaves Texas, Texas A&M, LSU, and Tennessee as the only undefeated teams in the SEC with seven weeks remaining in the conference race. While the Crimson Tide still have a chance to claim the league title or make an at-large playoff berth, their margin for error has significantly decreased since this loss.