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Bonus notes, observations from a second viewing of Alabama win over Georgia

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Bonus notes, observations from a second viewing of Alabama win over Georgia


We’re back.

Loyal readers might remember this weekly Sunday series from my time as a beat writer covering Alabama. It went on hiatus after moving into a new role last spring but we dust it off on special occasions.

So here’s the Sunday DVR rewind of Alabama’s 41-34 win over Georgia. For the uninitiated, this was a series to go back and clean up the notes we missed watching the game in real-time at the stadium. Sometimes, the TV copy of the game can add context to what we saw, and instead of wasting these notes, we just ran them for the whole internet to read.

So here we go, the stream-of-consciousness note-taking as we watch this one a second time.

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— Coming out, I was expecting to see a Georgia team with its hair on fire after a full offseason to think about what Alabama stole from it in last season’s SEC title game. I was clearly wrong.

— From the first play, I was surprised to see how Georgia was playing Ryan Williams. The CBs were lined up well off the ball, allowing a free release for a quick 8-yard gain on the game’s first play.

— Running back Jam Miller threw some impressive blocks several times. He’s a powerful back who got just five carries but made his impact in other ways. It’s worth pointing out Alabama RBs got just 11 carries while Jalen Milroe ran it 16 times.

— It’s hard to explain the wiggle and burst that Milroe has in the running game. He makes rushers miss with phonebooth moves and the next gear burst in the open field is unlike almost any QB I remember seeing.

— Alabama overcame three penalties on the first drive to score the first touchdown Georgia allowed in its fourth game. The Tide set the tone physically and with a great game plan.

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— It was clear Georgia was testing Alabama’s young secondary early and often after seeing how many open WRs were missed by the Tide’s first three opponents. It didn’t work early. Then it did later.

— I remember watching this in real time so I checked the stats. Carson Beck looked like he had plenty of time to operate when throwing the ball 50 times. He was sacked three times while Alabama was credited with just two QB hurries. I thought affecting Beck was going to be a big factor in the game and the fact he had time was crucial in the comeback later.

— Ryan Williams gains seven or eight extra yards (it seems) every catch with his footwork. He’s like a dancer out there with his footwork.

— It was interesting watching the TV version of Milroe’s TD pass to Jam Miller to make it 14-0. The camera angle didn’t do that throw justice but our angle in the press box did. We were right on the line of the throw that Milroe had to throw so far ahead of the RB to bend around the pursuing linebacker. That thing went through a window barely bigger than the ball, nearly kissing the LB’s helmet before landing in Miller’s breadbasket. I thought you could argue that was among the best of Milroe’s throws at Alabama, even more impressive for Miller to haul that in as a RB and not a WR.

— The third-down play on the following Georgia drive was among the most important in the game. The crowd was a factor here too. Down in the Alabama student section end, Beck tried to change the call at the line seeing Alabama had more pass rushers than they had blockers. Well the WRs didn’t get the message, Kirby Smart said after the game. Alabama DB Domani Jackson sniffed it the whole way, stepping in for an INT that changed the game. The Tide had the shortest field of the game and it cashed in. Suddenly 21-0 and the first quarter wasn’t even over.

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— Alabama CJ Dippre had an impressive game catching passes where he’s been almost primarily a blocker. He had four receptions for 38 yards.

— The most surprising thing to me early in the second quarter was the trick plays Alabama tried. It was gashing the Dawgs the traditional way before trying two tricks in three plays. The first was stopped for a one-yards loss on a WR pass that Kendrick Law ultimately ate.

— The fourth Alabama TD was a message. Jam Miller took the helmet off LB Jalon Walker as Milroe somehow turned a corner and dashed upfield for the 36-yard score. Taking you behind the scenes, that play was the subject of the opening few paragraphs of a column that never saw the light of day. The way the game changed meant scrapping that lede, but here’s what you would have seen:

Jalon Walker took a knee in the dark, helmet-less looking stunned.

The Bryant-Denny Stadium lights strobed as its seating bowl pulsed in perhaps the most stunning moment on a baffling night at the center of the universe.

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The Georgia linebacker had just been separated from his headgear as Alabama QB Jalen Milroe made a cut and dashed upfield. His 36-yard run gave the Crimson Tide a fourth touchdown on four possessions but it was the helmet-rattling block on the Bulldog ’backer that was the insult to the injury.

— Alabama had a 258-27 yardage advantage after taking that 28-0 lead that was clearly as good as it would get for the home team. The Tide ultimately finished with a narrow edge (547-519).

— There was serious whiplash from Alabama getting stuffed on fourth down late in the half, followed directly by Beck’s second INT of the half thrown to LB Jihaad Campbell. He made an impressive play on the ball for a linebacker but that was wasted when Dippre batted a Milroe pass into the air for the first INT of the year (compared to 10 TDs).

— Was impressed with Alabama’s sell-out blitz that led to the intentional grounding safety three plays after the INT. They sent EIGHT pass rushers at Beck. Robinson and Koht sandwiched the QB because Georgia just didn’t have enough blockers to stop eight blitzers.

— Totally forgot about the failed flea flicker late in the half when Alabama was driving up 30-7 before halftime. It lost eight yards on 2nd-and-5 from the 40. The Tide ultimately punted when there was blood in the water.

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— Can only imagine how Saban would’ve handled a post-half unsportsmanlike penalty like the one Alabama got with a dust up going to halftime.

— I remember thinking the third-down sack of Beck on the first drive of the second half was huge. It forced a three-and-out when Georgia was in desperate need of momentum.

— The level of desperation peaked on the next Bulldog drive down 30-7. Georgia went for it on three fourth downs on its own side of the 50. That included plays at the 29, 37 and 46. Getting stuffed on any and Alabama has a short field and a play from making it 37-7. Impressive play under pressure to keep this game competitive.

— Malachi Moore played with an edge all night.

— A stat of note, Alabama defenders were credited with nine pass break-ups. Moore and DeVonta Smith led with two apiece.

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— To show how quickly this game changed, Georgia was behind the 50 down 30-7 with 5:45 left in the third quarter. It would come all the way back to take the lead in just over 17 football minutes.

— What more could be said about this insane Ryan Williams catch. Here it is. Watch it again.

— It’s crazy to think Alabama brought in Graham Nicholson, the reigning Lou Groza Award winner, and his first field goal came late in the third quarter of his fourth game. And the 28-yarder barely missed the upright to make it 33-14 with 1:23 left. Again, it was a three-score lead with just over a quarter to play.

— Georgia outgained Alabama 275-115 in the fourth quarter with 75 of those Tide yards coming on the game-winning touchdown pass to Williams.

— Alabama defenders started to looked gassed in the fourth quarter, just as Georgia hit another gear and scored three straight touchdowns.

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— Just noticed Ryan Williams did the Dirty Bird dance after scoring the game-winning TD.

— A stat that was huge: Georgia was 1-for-3 on 2-point conversions. Alabama was 1-for-1.

Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.





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How to watch Tennessee Volunteers: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Feb. 28

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How to watch Tennessee Volunteers: Live stream info, TV channel, game time | Feb. 28


Labaron Philon’s No. 18 Alabama Crimson Tide (21-7, 11-4 SEC) hit the road to match up with Ja’Kobi Gillespie and the No. 22 Tennessee Volunteers (20-8, 10-5 SEC) at Thompson-Boling Arena on Saturday, Feb. 28. The game starts at 6 p.m. ET.

We have more details below, including how to watch this matchup on ESPN.

Prepare for this matchup with everything you need to know ahead of Saturday’s college hoops action.

Tennessee vs. Alabama: How to watch on TV or live stream

  • Game day: Saturday, February 28, 2026
  • Game time: 6 p.m. ET
  • Location: Knoxville, Tennessee
  • Arena: Thompson-Boling Arena
  • TV Channel: ESPN
  • Live stream: Fubo – Watch NOW (Regional restrictions may apply)

Check out: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

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Tennessee vs. Alabama stats and trends

  • Tennessee ranks 78th in the nation with 80.5 points per game so far this year. At the other end, it ranks 62nd with 69.1 points allowed per contest.
  • The Volunteers are thriving when it comes to rebounding, as they rank third-best in college basketball in boards (39.9 per game) and second-best in rebounds allowed (25.9 per contest).
  • So far this season, Tennessee ranks 30th in college basketball in assists, averaging 17.1 per game.
  • With 11.8 turnovers per game, the Volunteers are 257th in the country. They force 10.7 turnovers per contest, which ranks 224th in college basketball.
  • This season, Tennessee is making 6.9 threes per game (271st-ranked in college basketball) and is shooting 34.7% (139th-ranked) from three-point land.
  • With a 30.2% three-point percentage allowed this season, the Volunteers are 22nd-best in the country. They rank 182nd in college basketball by giving up 7.8 three-pointers per contest.
  • Tennessee has taken 67.3% two-pointers and 32.7% three-pointers this year. Of the team’s buckets, 75.8% are two-pointers and 24.2% are three-pointers.

Tennessee vs. Alabama Odds and Spread

  • Spread Favorite: Volunteers (-4.5)
  • Moneyline: Tennessee (-222), Alabama (+179)
  • Total: 164.5 points

NCAA Basketball odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Saturday at 4:11 a.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub.

Watch college basketball on Fubo!

Follow the latest college sports coverage at College Sports Wire.



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Alabama ‘Fully Aware’ of Losing Streak to Tennessee Ahead of Road Rematch

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Alabama ‘Fully Aware’ of Losing Streak to Tennessee Ahead of Road Rematch


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Losing to a rival almost always hurts more than falling to another opponent during the regular season. Years of hatred, unforgettable moments and tradition boiled up into one game, and the delivery is nowhere to be found for one team.

No. 17 Alabama has won seven straight games and is eyeing an eighth on Saturday on the road against No. 22 Tennessee. This is the second time that Crimson Tide will face the Volunteers, as Alabama lost in Tuscaloosa in January.

The loss a month ago to head coach Rick Barnes and company brought UA’s losing streak against Tennessee to five games. It’s the first time that the Tide has dropped this many games to the Vols since 1968-72 — a streak that came two years before Alabama head coach Nate Oats was born (Oct. 13, 1974). It’s why Oats is not treating Tennessee as a faceless opponent or like any other team the Tide has faced.

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“Every year we’ve been here they’ve caused us issues,” Oats said during Friday’s press conference. “Our players, are fully aware that we’ve lost five in a row. They’re fully aware of what happened out there last year. I’ve taken ownership for my share of what happened up there last year.

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“We’re fully aware that they beat us at home. We haven’t lost very many home games in conference, period, really since we’ve been here, and they handed us one this year.”

After falling to Florida on Feb. 1, Alabama moved down to the ninth spot in the conference standings, and the college basketball world started to question whether or not the Crimson Tide would be a threat in the postseason.

But a switch flipped after that loss, and the current winning streak has Alabama tied for the No. 2 spot in the SEC standings. Everything seems to be trending in the Tide’s direction, as there are only three games remaining on the schedule.

Oats is in his sixth year as Alabama’s head coach. Following the retirement of former Auburn head coach Bruce Pearl during the offseason, Oats became the second-longest tenured coach for one team in the conference. The coach in front of him: Tennessee’s Rick Barnes, who has held his position since the 2015-16 season.

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Both Alabama and Tennessee have finished conference play in the top-4 of the standings since the 2022-23 season. The Crimson Tide was the regular-season and SEC Tournament champions in both the 2020-21 and 2022-23 seasons, while the Vols won the 2022 SEC Tournament and were the conference’s regular-season champions in 2023-24.

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“So our guys know, but at the same time, we’ve got a lot of respect for how they play and what they do. We’ve got to come in with a healthy amount of respect for them, but we got to try to win this game.

“There’s a lot riding on this game. What happens in Arkansas-Florida, you’re either going to be all alone in second place if we could get a win, or you’re going to be one game out first. If you take a loss, now you’re in danger of losing a top-4 seed. They’ll be tied with us if we take a loss.”

“So there’s a lot riding on the SEC standings in this game here. They know that. They know what our struggles against Tennessee have Been as well.”

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Selmont seeks incorporation to become independent Alabama city

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Selmont seeks incorporation to become independent Alabama city


SELMONT, Ala. (WSFA) – An unincorporated community in Dallas County is seeking to establish itself as an independent city, hoping to gain control over local government services and community priorities that have long been managed at the county level.

Selmont, located across the Edmund Pettus Bridge from Selma, is home to approximately 2,700 registered voters and carries a significant place in civil rights history.

The community was the site of a pivotal moment during the Bloody Sunday march in 1965, when roughly 600 civil rights marchers were tear-gassed by Alabama state troopers, including 13-year-old Mae Richmond.

“People ask us ‘Were we afraid?’ No. We were not afraid. We were not afraid, first of all, even as a 13-year-old child, we knew that we were doing what God was permitting us to do,” Richmond, a 60-plus year resident of Selmont, said of the historic event.

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As an unincorporated community, Selmont lacks its own municipal government. Residents must contact the Dallas County Commissioner for public works services. It’s a situation that community leaders say limits responsiveness to local needs.

Erice Williams, a community activist leading the incorporation effort, said the change would fundamentally alter how the community operates.

“It would give us decision power and allow us to get funding that we can allocate to our own community that we can make our own priorities be clear and resolved at the same time,” Williams said.

Williams also highlighted the strain on current county services. “Connel Towns (county commissioner) is the only person we have to call, and the resources and time that he would have to serve our community is very limited,” he said.

Operation Selmont, the group spearheading the incorporation effort, is currently gathering signatures on a petition to present to the local probate judge. The organization needs approximately 500 signatures to move forward with the incorporation process and has already collected 40 percent of its goal.

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The next meeting for Operation Selmont is scheduled for March 6 at 6 p.m.

For longtime residents like Richmond, incorporation represents an opportunity to ensure Selmont’s future and maintain its identity for generations to come.

“That we will be able to teach and train our children to give them the strength that our foreparents had that they will be able to stand up for justice and for equality,” Richmond said of her hopes for the community’s future.

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