The Alabama Crimson Tide finally got it all together tonight as they slowly and methodically drained the life out of the Tennessee Volunteers.  Alabama defeated Tennessee 29-9 moving to 8-0 while dropping the Vols to 3-5.
          It was a little scary in the beginning however.  After being held to a field goal on Alabama's opening drive and stopping Tennessee on their opening drive, Javier Arenas decided against the fair catch resulting in Tennessee recovering a fumble at the Alabama five yard line.  Luckily, the Tide's defense refused to break holding the Vols to just a field goal.  That would be the last points Tennessee would get until the end of the game.  
          The Crimson Tide offense sputtered in the first half, only gaining 32 yards rushing, but Glen Coffee and Roy Upchurch put the pieces together in the second half, combining for 164 yards and two touchdowns.  The Tennessee defense, which looked really good in the first half bringing pressure from all angles, stuffing the run, and playing good pass coverage, just burned out due to the long drives in the third and fourth quarters resulting in 16 Alabama second half points.  On the other side of the ball, Alabama's defense was outstanding, giving up only 173 total yards offense...36 coming on the ground.
          With the win, Alabama has won three of the past four meetings with Tennessee, including the 41-17 route last year in Tuscaloosa.
          Alabama now faces a 4-3 Arkansas State squad next Saturday in preparation for the LSU Tigers the following Saturday, who were defeated at home by Georgia 52-38 this week and are now going into a bye week.  Tennessee goes on the road next Saturday to face the 5-3 Gamecocks of South Carolina.
          With the win today, Alabama is now two games ahead of LSU in the SEC West Division with only three conference games to play.  If Alabama gets by Arkansas State and LSU the following week, they will move on to play in their first SEC Championship Game since 1999.