Booger McFarland calls out Josh Heupel for disastrous pick-six sequence vs. Alabama

Looking to cut into the Alabama lead just before halftime, Tennessee looked to run a play-action pass at the 1-yard line. But Crimson Tide defender Zabien Brown was there to intercept Joey Aguilar and run it back 99 yards for a pick-six.
However, ESPN’s Booger McFarland didn’t put all the blame on Aguilar for the play. He instead took aim at Tennessee coach Josh Heupel for the play call.
McFarland said it all started with the previous play, which was a run that was short of the goal line. That meant Tennessee spent its third timeout, setting up a clear passing situation. Although Tennessee came out in a run-type formation, the Vols still ran play-action – and McFarland argued Alabama knew exactly what was going to happen.
“Here’s the thing. The play before, they ran the football and used their last timeout,” McFarland said to start the ABC halftime show. “Now, as a defender, I know when you have no timeouts left and you want to put points on the board, you have to throw the football. I know you’re throwing the football. I don’t care what formation you come out in – I know you’re throwing the football. … If you’re Joey Aguilar, you can’t telegraph the pass.
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“But I blame Josh Heupel for this: You’ve got to know in that situation, you want to get points, you’ve got to tell your quarterback, ‘If he’s not wide open, throw it in the stands so we can kick the field goal.’ But I know as a defense right there, it’s got to be a pass. To me, that was telegraphed.”
It was an up-and-down start for the Tennessee offense. Aguilar went 14 of 21 for 135 yards and a touchdown, as well as the pick, but the running game struggled mightily. The Vols had just 38 yards on the ground, led by 20 yards on two carries from Star Thomas.
Another key play occurred on the other end of the field, though. Aguilar tried to make something happen in the opposing end zone, but was eventually called for intentional grounding. That resulted in a safety, giving Alabama not only two points, but the ball back. The Crimson Tide capitalized with a Jam Miller touchdown on the ensuing possession.