Tennessee 26, Alabama 10: Recap and What It Means Before Texas A&M (2026)
No. 14 Tennessee beat No. 6 Alabama 26-10 on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. DeSean Bishop ran for 159 yards and two touchdowns, Cooper Ranvier kicked four field goals, and Alabama turned the ball over four times. The Crimson Tide (5-2, 3-2 SEC) has now lost two straight games. Tennessee moved to 6-1 and 3-1 in the SEC.
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How did Tennessee beat Alabama?
Tennessee controlled the ball and won the turnover battle. Ranvier made field goals of 29, 33 and 41 yards in the first quarter for a 9-0 lead. Keelon Russell answered with a 19-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter. Ranvier added a 34-yarder, and Connor Talty hit a 42-yard field goal before halftime to make it 12-10.
Alabama did not score again. The Tide finished 2 of 13 on third down and came up short on fourth-and-1 twice in the third quarter. Bishop scored from 5 yards out in the third quarter and again with 3:17 left, after a 15-play drive that took about 9 1/2 minutes off the clock.
Alabama had 201 total yards and 54 rushing yards. Russell threw for 147 yards with two interceptions, and Alabama lost two fumbles. Tennessee’s defense had five sacks. Ivan Taylor had Alabama’s interception, picking off George MacIntyre in the second quarter.
The 10 points were Alabama’s fewest against Tennessee since 2000. It is also the first time Alabama has lost back-to-back games since 2013. Last week Georgia beat Alabama 20-17 (Georgia recap).
Scoring summary
| Quarter | Team | Play | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (10:05) | Tennessee | Cooper Ranvier 29-yard field goal | TENN 3-0 |
| 1st (8:59) | Tennessee | Ranvier 33-yard field goal | TENN 6-0 |
| 1st (4:32) | Tennessee | Ranvier 41-yard field goal | TENN 9-0 |
| 2nd (10:16) | Alabama | Keelon Russell 19-yard run (Connor Talty kick) | TENN 9-7 |
| 2nd (5:19) | Tennessee | Ranvier 34-yard field goal | TENN 12-7 |
| 2nd | Alabama | Talty 42-yard field goal | TENN 12-10 |
| 3rd | Tennessee | DeSean Bishop 5-yard run | TENN 19-10 |
| 4th (3:17) | Tennessee | Bishop 5-yard run | TENN 26-10 |
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Tennessee | 9 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 26 |
Key stats
| Stat | Alabama | Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Total yards | 201 | — |
| Rushing yards | 54 | Bishop alone: 159 on 32 carries |
| Passing | Russell: 147 yards, 2 INT | MacIntyre: 21 of 31, 197 yards |
| Top receiver | — | Mike Matthews: 7 catches, 85 yards |
| Third down | 2 of 13 | — |
| Turnovers | 4 (2 fumbles lost, 2 INT) | — |
| Sacks | — | 5 (Tyree Weathersby 2, Jeremiah Telander 2, Arion Carter 1) |
| Field goals | Talty 1 (42 yards) | Ranvier 4 of 4 |
A dash means the full-game figure was not in the sources available at publish time.
Who does Alabama play next?
Alabama hosts Texas A&M on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The last time the two teams met, Alabama won 24-20 in Tuscaloosa in 2022. Tennessee plays at South Carolina next.
Where should you watch Alabama vs. Texas A&M in Tuscaloosa?
No ticket? Our guide to sports bars in Tuscaloosa lists the spots with the most TVs, and the Tuscaloosa bars guide covers the Strip and downtown. For tonight’s deals, see Tuscaloosa bar and food specials for Sunday, Oct. 18.
You must be 21 or older to drink. Plan your ride home: UA’s 348-RIDE service is (205) 348-7433, or use a rideshare app.
FAQ
What was the final score of Alabama vs. Tennessee in 2026?
Tennessee won 26-10 on Oct. 17, 2026, in Knoxville. Tennessee led 12-10 at halftime and scored the only 14 points of the second half.
What is Alabama’s record after the Tennessee game?
Alabama is 5-2 overall and 3-2 in the SEC after losses to Georgia and Tennessee in back-to-back weeks.
When does Alabama play Texas A&M?
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. CT at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. The game is on ABC.
Scores and statistics are from the official box score. Own a bar or restaurant near campus? Sponsor our game recaps.
Clay.
As founder of TuscaloosaStudentHousing.com, he combines that local knowledge with hands-on research of the Tuscaloosa rental market to publish practical, honest guides for University of Alabama students living off campus.
