Mythical Playoffs (Round 3) '92 Alabama vs '98 Tennessee
By SECFans on July 26 2009 11:35 AM
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Game Thirteen: 1992 Alabama Crimson Tide (13-0) vs 1998 Tennessee Volunteers (13-0)
Tournament to Date:
'92 Alabama:
Defeated 05 Georgia 24-13
Defeated 2003 LSU 20-14
(Players of the Game: George Teague, Eric Curry)
'98 Tennessee:
Defeated 2000 Florida 38-31
Defeated 2006 Florida 14-13
(Players of the Game: Tee Martin, Jamal Lewis)
Argument for Alabama:
For all the buzz that the Bama defense is generating through the playoffs, their offense has managed to provide some support as well. Jay Barker has minimized mistakes, and they've managed to keep opposing offenses off the field with long drives. The '98 UT defense poses yet another stiff challenge, with terrific speed at linebacker contributing to an overall stellar front seven. The Tide will probably try to neutralize that speed with screens and draws that take the action right at the jaws of the D.
Argument for Tennessee:
Instead of relying solely on the running game to get the job done last game, Tee Martin stepped up as the point of focus for the Tennessee offense. The NFL caliber talent on both sides of the ball is starting to show with each passing game. If the Vols' offensive line can withstand the barrage of defenders and schemes thrown at it from a stellar Bama defense, it will open it the game both through the air and on the ground. Martin will be tested, but he's got height and speed at WR. Al Wilson and Raynoch Thompson will be gunning for Barker and the Tide. If they can force them into 2nd and 3rd & long situations, they may be able to force a turnover and give their offense a short field.
How it Plays Out:
From early on, it's easy to see why these teams are in the 3rd round. The hitting is spectacular, and the defensive execution for both teams is proving more than fun to watch. Tennessee risked pushing the opening kickoff to Palmer, who squirted up to the Bama 39. However, the Tide offense was unable to move a lick. Al Wilson shot through the UA offensive line like a missle and subsequently blindsided Jay Barker on a 3rd and 9. With the Bama offense moving backwards, the UT offense is poised to have decent field position. But Jamal Lewis was stuffed on consecutive tries, and Tee Martin sailed a ball over Price's head with the resulting 3rd down try.
The entire 1st quarter played out in similar fashion to the first two drives. But the 2nd quarter belonged to the Bama offense. With a time chewing drive well in progress, Jay Barker took a quick 3-step drop and launched a rocket to a slanting Prince Wimbley. He managed to make it to the Tennessee 3 yard line before being dragged to the turf. On the very next play, Derrick Lassic marched the ball into the end zone on a sweep. After another 3-and-out by the UT offense, Bama got the ball at their own 38. Showing a successful running attack for most of the drive, the Tide had the UT linebackers and safeties inching closer to the line. With the entire Tennessee defense biting on a screen setup, Sherman Williams takes the flare and coasts into the end zone after a spin move circled him past the only defender standing in his way. Going into the half, Bama leads, 17-0.
Having to regroup after a rough first half, Tennessee comes out of the gate both guns blazing in to start the 2nd half. Peerless price made Langham look silly on consecutive grabs. On the second, he simply leaped over the Bama All-American defender and got a toe down before falling out of bounds on at the Tide 17. With the Bama defense on its heels but still swarming to the ball, Tee Martin executed a ball fake to perfection. The resulting movement of the entire Bama defense left them wide open for a QB scramble off the left edge, straight to paydirt. Midway through the 3rd quarter, Jay Barker was blasted at midfield by Al Wilson, yet again. This time, however, Barker coughed up the rock and Thompson fell on it.
Fulmer was known for going for the throat after turnovers, and Bama played soft in the secondary expecting a bomb. What they got was a 38 yard sprint up the middle from Lewis. Two plays following Lewis' rumble up the middle, Travis Henry snagged a swing pass and skated in for 6. Tennessee added 7 more on an interception taken to the house to end the 3rd quarter.
Up 21-17 with the ball, Tennessee is poised to put the game out of reach charging late and seemingly in control. But the Vols got a bit greedy. Martin aired another one out for Price, but didn't see T.P. Johnson coming over the top to help Langham. He snagged the ball out of the air and was dragged down immediately. With time running short, Bama still stayed true to the running game. Lassic and Williams traded carries on four straight plays, with excellent results. And with 1:23 left on the clock, Barker showed some ball fake skills of his own, and dumped the ball to David Palmer who released behind the UT secondary. He walked into the end zone untouched.
The ensuing drive for the Vols fell short when Martin tossed a hail mary that was batted down by a leaping George Teague, falling harmlessly at the 3 yard line. Bama advances to the championship game.
Final Score: Alabama 24 Tennessee 21
Link to Bracket (possible spoiler)
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Tags: SEC, Alabama, Tennessee, SEC,
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