3 takeaways from Alabama's 24-17 loss at Tennessee

Alabama's defense takes advantage, but the offense can't capitalize

The Crimson Tide certainly didn't lack for opportunities on offense in the first half. The defense made sure of that.

Especially safety Malachi Moore.

Moore forced a fumble on Tennessee's first offensive drive. Then, later in the first half, he intercepted a long attempt by Vols backup quarterback Gaston Moore.

Then freshman cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe stopped another Tennessee attack with an interception near the end zone.

But despite all of these defensive plays, Alabama couldn't score a single point against any of them. On every drive after the defense forced a takeaway, the Alabama offense ended up punting.

At halftime, the Crimson Tide led 7-0, albeit with three takeaways. And honestly, Alabama should have had more of a lead.

Penalties plague Alabama

As to why the Crimson Tide all too often failed to make something of the takeaways, penalties were the No. 1 culprit.

False starts. Holds. Personal fouls. Alabama conceded one penalty after another. The Crimson Tide had 10 at halftime.

The raucous Neyland Stadium crowd certainly played a role in triggering some of those penalties, but Alabama also did things to get in its own way.

Tennessee's defense made plays to stop the Alabama offense, but so did penalties. More than they should have.

Alabama had 17 penalties in its last trip to Knoxville, a single-game record. The Crimson Tide's penalty woes continued in their most recent visit to Neyland Stadium, with 15 flags for 115 yards – including a fatal personal foul on Kendrick Law on Alabama's final possession.

Tennessee's offense awakens in the second half

It's amazing what can happen when an offense doesn't turn the ball over three times.

The Vols figured it out in the second half, scoring three touchdowns on their first five drives after halftime. Tennessee seemed to have figured out how to beat Alabama's defense in the second half. A rushing offense, coupled with some key catches, provided the recipe for the Tennessee offense to produce a much higher scoring rate after a fairly quiet first half in which the Crimson Tide defense held them off.

Nick Kelly is a beat writer from Alabama AL.com and Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X And Instagram.