One of the standout victories of the weekend took place at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, where the No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers triumphed over the No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide, 24-17. The win was fueled by a stellar defensive effort and a powerful rushing performance from star running back Dylan Sampson.

Tennessee leaned heavily on Sampson, who dominated the game with a relentless offensive strategy that left the Crimson Tide struggling to respond.

With this victory, the Volunteers climbed to No. 7 in the nation and positioned themselves firmly in the hunt for the SEC title game and the College Football Playoffs. If they want to keep the momentum going, they may have discovered their key to success.

Sampson's remarkable performance did not go unnoticed; he was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week, further solidifying his role as the catalyst for Tennessee's offense.

Sampson concluded the game with an impressive 26 carries, rushing for 139 yards and scoring two touchdowns, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Aside from a single fumble -- his only misstep of the season -- he consistently outperformed the Alabama defense, leaving them unable to find an answer for his relentless running.

Sampson's season has been nothing short of extraordinary, even if it has been somewhat overshadowed by the standout performances of Ashton Jeanty.

Nevertheless, he has made a significant impact in the SEC. This year, he has amassed 144 carries for 838 yards, along with 17 touchdowns, averaging 119.7 yards per game.

Remarkably, his fumble against Alabama marked the first of his entire season, underscoring just how impressive his campaign has been. His performance against Alabama solidified his status as a deserving recipient of the recognition he received.

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