The 2022 memory of Jalen Hyatt's five touchdown catches still haunts Alabama Crimson Tide fans. Alabama lost 52-49 to the Vols, with a better quarterback in Bryce Young that season. Alabama's Defensive Coordinator, Pete Golding, received most of the blame. Still, one disturbing thought lingered. Was Josh Heupel's offense so good that Alabama's defense, called by Golding but built and maintained by Nick Saban, was incapable of stopping it?
Last season, Tennessee needed only three touchdowns to beat Alabama 24-17. Kane Wommack's defense gave up 408 yards to the Vols, but Alabama lost due to penalties, turnovers, and a stiff Tennessee defense that neutralized the Crimson Tide offense.