Alabama fans resort to blaming refs in record time for early deficit vs Tennessee

Alabama football got punched in the mouth early by Tennessee and Crimson Tide fans think the refs had something to do with it.

After more than a decade of dominance, it’s an unfamiliar feeling for Alabama to fall behind by two scores in the first quarter.

They found themselves in that position against Tennessee after the Volunteers put up 21 points early.

Fans couldn’t believe their eyes. So they didn’t. They blamed the refs for interfering instead.

Alabama football fans blame refs for early deficit vs. Tennessee

Alabama had seven penalties for 54 yards in the first quarter. Tennessee had just one penalty for 10 yards. So you can see how people would be asking questions about the refs.

At the same time, it was clear that the Tide were sloppy throughout the early minutes of the game. It wasn’t just the penalties. It was the drops, the fumbled snaps and other mishaps that set them back.

One holding penalty wiped out an impressive play by Bryce Young, extending a play and swinging to the wide side of the field. However, that was also a bang-on penalty as the running back mistook a bear hug for a block attempt.

Things were definitely going Tennessee’s way. It’s just not all that clear that the refs were to blame for the Volunteer’s dominance or the Tide’s struggle.

Tennessee came into Saturday’s meeting with a ton of motivation. Playing at home, they had arguably their best chance in years to finally end Alabama’s lengthy winning streak against them. The Volunteers haven’t beaten the Tide since 2006. They played like they had a chip on their shoulder in the first quarter. Alabama should spend less time wondering about the refs and more time figuring out how to match the energy of their opponents.

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