Rocky Topics: Would a win over Alabama thrust the Vols to a national championship?

On this week’s Rocky Topics, Chase Carder and David Bradford debate whether a win over Alabama would thrust the Vols to their first national championship victory since 1998.

Bradford: As Meghan Trainor would say, “Nah to the Ah to the No, No No.” A win over the greatest dynasty in college football history would give Tennessee a clear path to 11-1 and a berth in the SEC Championship game. However, does that mean A) the Vols could defeat the Crimson Tide again — or potentially get revenge on Texas A&M if the Aggies win the SEC West — in the SEC Championship game or B) survive the College Football Playoff if they make it to that point? Tennessee can beat Alabama, because they matchup against them fairly well and nearly beat them on the road last season, but potential games against Clemson, Ohio State, Michigan or Washington could get ugly for the Vols. I could see a College Football Playoff berth, but this isn’t a National Championship caliber team. Sorry.

Carder: A win over Alabama would make Tennessee serious championship contenders for a few reasons. For one, the win would be Tennessee’s first against Saban and would be a huge momentum boost going forward. Also, the win almost ensures an 11-1 season and a bid to the SEC title. At that point, some key injured defensive players would be ready to go, and the Vols have already proven to be amongst the most talented in the nation. A confident and healthy 11-1 Tennessee team in December and January will be dangerous and a legitimate threat for both the SEC and National Championship. Saturday proved if Tennessee can just hang on to the ball, they have the talent to beat anybody. And I believe Butch Jones will have that fixed come postseason play.

Bradford: The key word is “if.” I’ve never seen a team with that much talent make so many mistakes. That doesn’t bode well against an Alabama defense that has a nose for the end zone. But let’s say they do make it to the CFP, you still have to play mistake-free football against another elite opponent. You don’t think that defense up in Ann Arbor won’t smell blood in the water? Or that offense down in Death Valley won’t capitalize on those mistakes? If you look at the previous national champions, they took care of the football and realized their full potential. The Vols haven’t done that and they’ve provided no evidence that they can play a complete game. Therefore, a championship is simply out of their grasp, even if they win this Saturday. In addition, there is no guarantee they’ll go 11-1. They should win the last six games on their schedule, but if Tennessee can turn the ball over seven times in a game, anybody can beat them.

Carder: Everything said regarding the other contenders is true, especially Alabama, but a win Saturday likely means the Vols finally display ball security. It’s hard to think of a victorious scenario where Tennessee continues to turn it over. Momentum is a real thing in college sports, and a win and turnover-free game could bring on the confidence needed to tackle the rest of the season. While Tennessee’s flaws stick out a bit more than the other contenders, they all have them and can all be exploited. Granted Tennessee has done a fairly poor job taking care of the football itself, it’s also excelled in creating turnovers on the other side of the ball. Yes, Michigan’s defense is legit, but the lack of offensive weapons is an issue Tennessee could take advantage of. Ohio State looks amazing, but J.T. Barrett has proven throughout his college career that he’s liable of making mistakes against a team that can get after the quarterback, which Tennessee can. Deshaun Watson hasn’t been nearly as impressive as his National Championship performance last January, and is just as much of a turnover liability as Josh Dobbs. If Tennessee can beat Alabama once, they can do it again in the SEC Championship, right? In matchups against the other elites of college football, concerns are evident, but the Vols are talented enough to exploit the flaws of these other teams. All it takes is a three-game stretch, including the SEC Championship. If Tennessee can take down Alabama on Saturday, given the injuries and the emotional roller coaster of the past three weeks, anything is possible with this team.

Edited by Dalton King

Featured image by Craig Bisacre, courtesy of Tennessee Athletics