
Tennessee shuts out Alabama after halftime; Auburn ends Georgia's unbeaten start
Alabama's second-half shutout and Georgia's last-minute fumble shape the rivalry fallout, with all 13 October 17 afternoon game reports.
By RANT College Football Desk / 2 sources / Published October 19, 2026
Tennessee held Alabama scoreless in the second half, forced four turnovers and allowed just 201 yards in Saturday's 26-10 win. The Crimson Tide reached halftime down only 12-10, then failed to find another score. Cooper Ranvier supplied Tennessee's 12 first-half points with four field goals.
Alabama managed 54 net rushing yards and converted two of 13 third downs. Tennessee recorded five sacks. A fourth-and-one stop at the Vols' 40 ended an Alabama opportunity after the break, and DeSean Bishop finished the next possession with a five-yard touchdown run.
Bishop rushed for 159 yards and two touchdowns. His second score capped a 15-play drive that used 9 minutes, 32 seconds of the fourth quarter, leaving Alabama down 26-10 with 3:17 remaining. Tennessee improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the SEC; Alabama fell to 5-2 and 3-2. Kayin Lee's end-zone interception in the final minute ended Alabama's last threat.
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ESPN College Football's highlights show how the Vols kept Alabama from answering:
- YouTube
ESPN College Football: Alabama-Tennessee highlights
Read source ↗ Georgia loses the finish in Athens
No. 1 Georgia had more offense and a late comeback against Auburn. It still left with its first loss. The Bulldogs outgained the Tigers 440-366 and tied the game at 24 with 2:58 remaining, only to lose a fumble near midfield with 58 seconds left.
Auburn played without a turnover. Jeremiah Cobb's 12-yard run started the final possession, and a roughing-the-passer penalty helped put Alex McPherson within range. His 34-yard field goal as time expired gave the Tigers a 27-24 win and dropped Georgia to 6-1 overall, 4-1 in the SEC. Auburn improved to 4-2 and 2-2.
Auburn Football shared McPherson's winning kick:
Comebacks that survived
Michigan and North Carolina escaped the late mistakes that cost Georgia. Michigan scored all its points after halftime in a 21-18 win over Penn State, with replacement quarterback Tommy Carr scoring the deciding touchdown. North Carolina let a 17-point lead disappear at Duke before Jaylen McGill's late touchdown and Kenton Dopson III's interception secured a 24-20 win.
Ole Miss allowed Missouri only three points while Trinidad Chambliss accounted for four touchdowns. Texas Tech had already scored 43 points by halftime against Arizona State. Elsewhere, Wyoming's Tyler Hughes ran for four touchdowns and Air Force's Evan Medders added three. Miami Ohio forced four interceptions against Akron; Tulsa scored the final 31 points at Rice. Louisiana's 16-play scoring answer to Troy's only touchdown stopped that comeback before it developed.
All 13 afternoon finals
These games kicked off between 3:30 and 5 p.m. Eastern. Each result below links to its individual recap.
Final Individual game report Auburn 27, Georgia 24 McPherson finishes the upset Tennessee 26, Alabama 10 Bishop and the Vols defense Ole Miss 31, Missouri 3 Chambliss accounts for four touchdowns Texas Tech 53, Arizona State 25 Williams breaks long runs Virginia Tech 34, Georgia Tech 24 Hokies withstand the rally North Carolina 24, Duke 20 McGill takes back the lead Michigan 21, Penn State 18 Carr sparks the comeback Wyoming 41, Northern Illinois 23 Hughes scores in every quarter Air Force 41, UNLV 31 Medders leads the rushing attack Toledo 34, Eastern Michigan 14 Richter and Ison restore Toledo Miami Ohio 34, Akron 14 Nelson and four interceptions Tulsa 38, Rice 17 Hayes leads 31 unanswered points Louisiana 33, Troy 6 Cajuns control the second half
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