No. 2 Alabama rolls to 37-6 win over Vols

photo Tennessee quarterback Matt Simms (12) drops back to pass against Alabama during the first half of a NCAA college football game on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) - AJ McCarron passed for 284 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score to lead No. 2 Alabama to a second-half surge and a 37-6 rout of Tennessee Saturday night.

The Crimson Tide (8-0, 5-0 Southeastern Conference) scored on its first five possessions after halftime to turn a tie game with the rival Volunteers (3-4, 0-4) into a blowout. That set up a two-week bonanza of hype ahead of Alabama's showdown with No. 1 LSU, which routed Auburn 45-19 in a game that ended shortly before this one kicked off.

Now, both SEC powers head into an open date. The "LSU" chants began with a couple of minutes left with most of the fans staying until the end.

Alabama had either first downs or touchdowns on its first 10 plays of the second half to bust open a 6-6 game.

The Tide outgained the Vols 280-41 in the second half and didn't allow a first down.

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