CFB analyst Booger has wild analogy to describe SEC game: "Stats are like bikinis. They show some things but not all things"

The SEC had some of the best games during Week 8 of college football, with several heavyweights clashing. Coach Kalen DeBoer's No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide lost 24-17 to coach Josh Heupel's No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville in a back-and-forth game, while the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs knocked off the No. 1 Texas Longhorns in Austin.

The Crimson Tide were dominant in defense in the first half of the game, forcing three turnovers from the Volunteers. They led 7-0 at halftime before Tennessee mounted a comeback to win the matchup.

During the halftime show of the blockbuster game, ESPN analyst Booger McFarland, known for his wisecracks, had another one for the history books. While analyzing the dominance that the Crimson Tide's defense had exhibited against the Vols' misfiring offense via a question by host Kevin Negandhi, McFarland came up with an unusual answer.

“How is Tennessee still in this game?" Negandhi asked.

“There’s an old saying I learned a long time ago. Stats are like bikinis. They show some things, but not all things," McFarland said. "If you look at the stats, Tennessee should be getting blown out in this game. Two missed field goals, three turnovers, they can’t run the football, but because of their defense, specifically that defensive line, they’re in this game."

The SEC clash was not an instant classic, with Tennessee registering its third consecutive scoreless first half while Alabama left a lot of points on the field. Ultimately, the Volunteers' elite defense once again showed its worth by holding an opponent to under 20 points for the seventh consecutive game.

SEC team gaining upper hand in 'Third Saturday in October' clash

The game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers has been fondly dubbed the "Third Saturday in October" clash, and it holds huge significance as a college football rivalry.

Before coach Josh Heupel arrived in Knoxville in 2021, the Volunteers had lost 15 straight games to the Crimson Tide. But since then, the Vols have won two of the past three meetings between the teams. The most famous win came in 2022 when the Vols beat now-retired Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban 52-49 in Knoxville.

The rivalry is also renowned for its cigar-smoking tradition started by Bama coach Jim Gostree in the 1950s, whereby the winning team's coach and players light up cigars. Once the clock hit zero last night at Neyland Stadium, fans and players alike started lighting up their cigars to continue the famous tradition and celebrate a famous win.