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Is Tennessee vs. Alabama one of college football's top rivalries? It dates back to 1901

The Tennessee Volunteers enter their annual showdown with the Alabama Crimson Tide on a mixed note, sporting a 5-1 record but carrying momentum from two straight home victories over their SEC rivals. This year’s matchup, set for 3:30 p.m.

ET on October 18 at Neyland Stadium, marks the 109th edition of the *Third Saturday in October* rivalry—a tradition dating back to 1901, though the game’s original Thanksgiving slot in Birmingham has long since faded. Alabama holds the series edge with a 61-40-7 record, but Tennessee’s 2022 upset—culminating in a chaotic celebration with fans storming the field and dismantling the goalposts—broke a 15-year losing streak and added fuel to the rivalry’s intensity.

The game will air on ABC, and while the Volunteers have won the last two home meetings, Alabama’s dominance in Tuscaloosa and the Crimson Tide’s recent form keep the stakes high. Former Alabama coach Nick Saban once called Tennessee his toughest rival, a sentiment echoed in *The Athletic*’s annual ranking, where the matchup placed 11th among college football’s fiercest rivalries—just outside the top 10.

With the winning team traditionally celebrating by smoking cigars, this year’s clash promises another chapter in a rivalry that blends history, passion, and high-stakes SEC drama.

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