It was a rollicking debut for Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban in the intense border rivalry that had been dominated lately by the Volunteers.

Alabama (6-2, 4-1 SEC) got its biggest win in the series since a 56-28 victory in 1986 and had lost 10 of the last 12 meetings.

Saban set the tone by opening the game with a successful onside kick that set up the first of four Leigh Tiffin field goals for a team missing three suspended starters, including offensive linemen Antoine Caldwell and Marlon Davis and No. 2 rusher Glen Coffee.

Even without two of his blockers, Wilson completed 32-of-46 passes, including touchdowns to Hall of 16 and 2 yards. He also ran six times for 28 yards.

Terry Grant carried 26 times for 104 yards and had six catches for 31 yards and a TD.

Defensively, Alabama mostly denied big plays to Erik Ainge, Lucas Taylor and the league's top passing team. Ainge was 22-of-35 for 243 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Taylor, the Southeastern Conference's leading receiver, managed just two catches for 15 yards.