MARLER: No fluke, Vandy was better than Bama

By Chris Marler

The thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. Isn’t that how the old saying goes? 

A week ago, Alabama and its fans, were on cloud nine after a huge win against recent rival Georgia. An instant classic, come from behind, 41-34, win that seemingly had everything. Fast forward a week later and Alabama leaves Nashville a loser (in football) for the first time in 40 years.

And, if we’re being honest, the game really wasn’t as close as the score was.

Alabama got diced, gashed, and–pardon the pun–rolled over against Vanderbilt. Sure, the box score shows a pretty even game in yardage. Alabama had the ball for less than 18 total minutes in the game. They looked inept at times on defense. Even if Jalen Milroe hadn’t fumbled after a hit he never saw coming, and Alabama was able to score a go ahead touchdown late in the fourth when they were down five, I don’t think they could’ve kept Vanderbilt from going down the field and hitting a field goal.

It was that kind of day in Nashville. Alabama came into the game with the No. 1 ranked third down defense in the country allowing only 11 total conversions on the season and 16.9 percent overall. Vanderbilt was 12-of-18 on third downs including nine of their first 12!

Combine that with a pick six off a deflected ball early in the game and several momentum changing penalties, and the writing was on the wall early for Alabama in this one. Let’s be clear, this wasn’t a kick six or a fluky hail mary. Alabama got beat today because Vanderbilt was the better team.

This was the sixth consecutive week we’ve seen a lopsided underdog upset a favorite in the SEC. We all thought that a 16 team SEC would lead to more parity and less top heavy seasons. We just didn’t think it would be Clark Lea and the Commodores knocking off Alabama. But, good for the Commodores. Good for Clark Lea. And good for college football because, man this is fun.