Alabama football’s second win against a ranked opponent meant a lot of things: another step forward for the 2023 Tide toward reclaiming a conference championship and spot in the playoff; a chance for a stadium full of Alabama fans to light up victory cigars; and an opportunity for UA to enter its bye week on a positive note.

It wasn’t all pretty, and it rarely has been this fall for Nick Saban and co. But after trailing by double-digits inside Bryant-Denny Stadium for just the sixth time in the Saban era, Alabama (7-1, 5-0 SEC) blanked the Vols in the third and fourth quarters, winning 34-20.

Here are our grades from Week 8:

Offense: B

Alabama produced roughly its season average in total yardage (358 yards) with Jase McClellan (115 yards) leading a rushing attack averaging 3.3 yards a carry. The comeback was more impressive considering the unit’s slow start.

UA managed 29 yards of offense in its first 10 snaps. Meanwhile, Tennessee had 10 first downs. Quarterback Jalen Milroe was stripped on a sack, giving the Vols the ball at midfield. He then threw a deflected interception in the endzone, leading to a 14-point swing before the half.

The overall inconsistency wasn’t much of a factor in the second half, however. UA scored on its opening four drives of the half. Milroe took advantage of a few deep throws, and more importantly, kept the Tide on schedule as a point guard.

Defense: B+

Alabama was without starting linebacker Trezmen Marshall and would lose cornerback Terrion Arnold to a concussion in the third quarter. Yet, that didn’t prevent Tide from instituting a bend-but-don’t-break defense and holding the visitors off the scoreboard entirely after intermission. Aside from the opening series, Joe Milton never looked too comfortable in the pocket, overthrowing two open receivers on third-and-goals.

The game turned on a pair of fourth-down stops as Alabama changed its defensive front. An effort to stop Tennessee’s ground game paid off as UT produced 133 rushing yards, its second-lowest single-game total this season.

Special Teams: B

What more can be said about Alabama’s special teams tandem of Will Reichard and James Burnip? Reichard stayed perfect on the season, nailing a 42- and 50-yard field goal. The kicker threw a little celebratory shimmy in after his latter kick slipped through the uprights. Burnip averaged 43.6 yards across five punts.

The negatives can be laid on punt returner and defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry. An electric returner a year ago, McKinstry is averaging a paltry 5.3 yards per touch. On Saturday, he let a few catchable punts bounce onto the ground to give the Tide long fields.

Coaching: A

Alabama’s defensive staff deserves credit for the scheme change back to an even front once the Vols countered themselves. The halftime message worked this week as well. It’s easy to tell how much fun Saban is having coaching this team and they’re rewarding him and the fan base after a dreary open to the fall.

Overall: B+

This Alabama team isn’t the dominant world-beater that built the dynasty, but it keeps finding ways to win and plays critical stretches of complementary football.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].