Third Saturday in October

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Third Saturday in October
First meetingNovember 28, 1901
Tennessee 6, Alabama 6
Latest meetingOctober 21, 2023
#11 Alabama 34, #17 Tennessee 20
Next meetingOctober 19, 2024
Statistics
Meetings total106
All-time seriesAlabama leads, 59–39–7
Largest victoryAlabama, 51–0 (1906)
Longest win streakAlabama, 15(2007–2021) Tennessee, 7(1995–2001)
Current win streakAlabama, 1 (2023–present)
Locations of Alabama and Tennessee

The Third Saturday in October is the Alabama–Tennessee football rivalry,[1] an American college football rivalry game played annually by the Crimson Tide of the University of Alabama and the Volunteers of the University of Tennessee. The respective campuses are located approximately 310 miles (500 km) apart.[2][3] It is known as the Third Saturday in October because the game was traditionally played at such date prior to the 1992 football season, when the Southeastern Conference (SEC) split into its East and West divisions.[1][4] From 1995 to 2015, it was only scheduled for that date six times, though it was again scheduled for that date from 2016 through 2019 and in 2022 and 2023.[5] Alabama leads the series 59–39–7.[6][7] At 39 wins, Tennessee has more victories over Alabama than any other program in college football. At 59 wins, Alabama has more victories over Tennessee than any other program in college football.

Series history[edit]

The first game was played in 1901 in Birmingham, a 6–6 tie. From 1903 to 1913, Alabama dominated the series, only losing once and never allowing a touchdown by the Volunteers

Coach Neyland

Beginning in 1928, the rivalry was scheduled on its "traditional" date. Robert Neyland, Tennessee's coach and namesake of the present Tennessee stadium, began challenging Alabama for their perennial spot on top of the conference standings. It was officially given the name Third Saturday in October 1939.[8] Both Robert Neyland and Bear Bryant made the rivalry heated during their tenure at Tennessee and Alabama.[9]

Coach Bryant

The Alabama–Tennessee game has been played in three locations: Birmingham, Alabama; Knoxville, Tennessee; and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. In the first four (1901–1908) meetings, the game was held in Birmingham, Alabama. In 1909, the home and home series began, though most of Alabama's home games against Tennessee were played in Birmingham. The teams did play in Tuscaloosa a few times through 1930. The game was not played in Tuscaloosa from 1930 until 1999. Alabama leads the series in all three venues: for games contested in Birmingham, 21–14–6; in Knoxville, 27–21–1; and in Tuscaloosa, 11–4.

Alabama and Tennessee both have 12 shutouts in the series.

Victory cigars[edit]

In the 1950s, Jim Goostree, the head athletic trainer for Alabama, began another tradition as he began handing out cigars following a victory over the Volunteers.[10] Both teams continued the tradition for some time, though kept it secret due to NCAA rules concerning extra benefits and tobacco products. Alabama publicly restarted the tradition in 2005, though as a result, self-reported an NCAA violation.[11] Every year since 2007, the winner of the Alabama–Tennessee game knowingly violates the NCAA rule and reports the violation in honor of tradition.[12]

Streaks[edit]

The Alabama–Tennessee rivalry has been known for streaks.[13] In the first major streak of the series, Bama won seven straight over the Vols from 1905 to 1913 (the two teams did not play in 1910 and 1911), outscoring the Vols 112–0 in the process.

Alabama had the longest winning streak of the series, extending 15 games from 2007 to 2021, until October 15, 2022, when Tennessee defeated Alabama 52–49, the first time Tennessee defeated Nick Saban. An eleven-game Alabama streak (1971–1981) was broken in 1982 when Johnny Majors led the Vols to an upset victory over Bear Bryant and the Tide.[8]

Alabama had a nine-game unbeaten streak from 1986 to 1994, including a tie in 1993 which was later forfeited due to NCAA sanctions. The streak was broken by Tennessee in 1995 when the Vols beat the Tide 41–14. Tennessee began their own seven game win streak that night, which was broken when Alabama defeated the Vols 34–14 in 2002. To date, Alabama maintains the longest streak of victories over Tennessee at fifteen.[14][15]

Game results[edit]

Rankings are from the AP Poll

Alabama victoriesTennessee victoriesTiesForfeits / Vacated wins [n 1][n 2]
No.DateLocationWinning teamLosing team
1 November 28, 1901 Birmingham, AL Tie6Tie6
2 November 26, 1903 Birmingham, AL Alabama 24 Tennessee 0
3 November 24, 1904 Birmingham, AL Tennessee 5 Alabama 0
4 November 30, 1905 Birmingham, AL Alabama 29 Tennessee 0
5 November 29, 1906 Birmingham, AL Alabama 51 Tennessee 0
6 November 28, 1907 Birmingham, AL Alabama 5 Tennessee 0
7 November 26, 1908 Birmingham, AL Alabama 4 Tennessee 0
8 November 13, 1909 Knoxville, TN Alabama 10 Tennessee 0
9 November 28, 1912 Birmingham, AL Alabama 7 Tennessee 0
10 November 14, 1913 Tuscaloosa, AL Alabama 6 Tennessee 0
11 October 24, 1914 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 17 Alabama 7
12 October 20, 1928 Tuscaloosa, AL Tennessee 15 Alabama 13
13 October 19, 1929 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 6 Alabama 0
14 October 18, 1930 Tuscaloosa, AL Alabama 18 Tennessee 6
15 October 17, 1931 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 25 Alabama 0
16 October 15, 1932 Birmingham, AL Tennessee 7 Alabama 3
17 October 21, 1933 Knoxville, TN Alabama 12 Tennessee 6
18 October 20, 1934 Birmingham, AL Alabama 13 Tennessee 6
19 October 19, 1935 Knoxville, TN Alabama 25 Tennessee 0
20 October 17, 1936 Birmingham, AL Tie0Tie0
21 October 16, 1937 Knoxville, TN Alabama 14 Tennessee 7
22 October 15, 1938 Birmingham, AL Tennessee 13 Alabama 0
23 October 21, 1939 Knoxville, TN #5 Tennessee 21 #8 Alabama 0
24 October 19, 1940 Birmingham, AL #5 Tennessee 27 Alabama 12
25 October 18, 1941 Knoxville, TN Alabama 9 Tennessee 2
26 October 17, 1942 Birmingham, AL #4 Alabama 8 #15 Tennessee 0
27 October 21, 1944 Knoxville, TN Tie0Tie0
28 October 20, 1945 Birmingham, AL #6 Alabama 25 Tennessee 7
29 October 19, 1946 Knoxville, TN #9 Tennessee 12 #7 Alabama 0
30 October 18, 1947 Birmingham, AL Alabama 10 Tennessee 0
31 October 20, 1948 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 21 Alabama 6
32 October 20, 1949 Birmingham, AL Tie7Tie7
33 October 21, 1950 Knoxville, TN #18 Tennessee 14 Alabama 9
34 October 20, 1951 Birmingham, AL #2 Tennessee 27 Alabama 13
35 October 18, 1952 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 15 #18 Alabama 0
36 October 17, 1953 Birmingham, AL Tie0Tie0
37 October 16, 1954 Knoxville, TN Alabama 27 Tennessee 0
38 October 15, 1955 Birmingham, AL Tennessee 20 Alabama 0
39 October 20, 1956 Knoxville, TN #7 Tennessee 24 Alabama 0
40 October 19, 1957 Birmingham, AL Tennessee 14 Alabama 0
41 October 18, 1958 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 14 Alabama 7
42 October 17, 1959 Birmingham, AL Tie7Tie7
43 October 15, 1960 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 20 #15 Alabama 7
44 October 21, 1961 Birmingham, AL #5 Alabama 34 Tennessee 3
45 October 20, 1962 Knoxville, TN #2 Alabama 27 Tennessee 7
46 October 19, 1963 Birmingham, AL #9 Alabama 35 Tennessee 0
47 October 17, 1964 Knoxville, TN #3 Alabama 19 Tennessee 8
48 October 15, 1965 Birmingham, AL Tie7Tie7
49 October 15, 1966 Knoxville, TN #3 Alabama 11 Tennessee 10
50 October 21, 1967 Birmingham, AL #7 Tennessee 24 #6 Alabama 13
51 October 19, 1968 Knoxville, TN #8 Tennessee 10 Alabama 9
52 October 18, 1969 Birmingham, AL #13 Tennessee 41 #20 Alabama 14
53 October 17, 1970 Knoxville, TN #14 Tennessee 24 Alabama 0
54 October 16, 1971 Birmingham, AL #4 Alabama 32 #14 Tennessee 15
No.DateLocationWinning teamLosing team
55 October 21, 1972 Knoxville, TN #3 Alabama 17 #10 Tennessee 10
56 October 20, 1973 Birmingham, AL #2 Alabama 42 #10 Tennessee 21
57 October 19, 1974 Knoxville, TN #4 Alabama 28 Tennessee 6
58 October 18, 1975 Birmingham, AL #6 Alabama 30 #16 Tennessee 7
59 October 16, 1976 Knoxville, TN #20 Alabama 20 Tennessee 13
60 October 15, 1977 Birmingham, AL #4 Alabama 24 Tennessee 10
61 October 21, 1978 Knoxville, TN #4 Alabama 30 Tennessee 17
62 October 20, 1979 Birmingham, AL #1 Alabama 27 #18 Tennessee 17
63 October 18, 1980 Knoxville, TN #1 Alabama 27 Tennessee 0
64 October 17, 1981 Birmingham, AL #15 Alabama 38 Tennessee 19
65 October 16, 1982 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 35 #2 Alabama 28
66 October 15, 1983 Birmingham, AL Tennessee 41 #11 Alabama 34
67 October 20, 1984 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 28 Alabama 27
68 October 19, 1985 Birmingham, AL #20 Tennessee 16 #15 Alabama 14
69 October 18, 1986 Knoxville, TN #2 Alabama 56 Tennessee 28
70 October 17, 1987 Birmingham, AL Alabama 41 #8 Tennessee 22
71 October 15, 1988 Knoxville, TN Alabama 28 Tennessee 20
72 October 21, 1989 Birmingham, AL #10 Alabama 47 #6 Tennessee 30
73 October 20, 1990 Knoxville, TN Alabama 9 #3 Tennessee 6
74 October 19, 1991 Birmingham, AL #14 Alabama 24 #8 Tennessee 19
75 October 17, 1992 Knoxville, TN #4 Alabama 17 #13 Tennessee 10
76 October 16, 1993 Birmingham, AL #10 Tennessee 17 #2 Alabama† 17
77 October 15, 1994 Knoxville, TN #10 Alabama 17 Tennessee 13
78 October 14, 1995 Birmingham, AL #6 Tennessee 41 #11 Alabama 14
79 October 26, 1996 Knoxville, TN #6 Tennessee 20 #7 Alabama 13
80 October 18, 1997 Birmingham, AL #9 Tennessee 38 Alabama 21
81 October 24, 1998 Knoxville, TN #3 Tennessee 35 Alabama 18
82 October 23, 1999 Tuscaloosa, AL #5 Tennessee 21 #10 Alabama 7
83 October 21, 2000 Knoxville, TN Tennessee 20 Alabama 10
84 October 20, 2001 Tuscaloosa, AL #11 Tennessee 35 Alabama 24
85 October 26, 2002 Knoxville, TN #19 Alabama 34 #16 Tennessee 14
86 October 25, 2003 Tuscaloosa, AL #22 Tennessee 51 Alabama 435OT
87 October 23, 2004 Knoxville, TN #11 Tennessee 17 Alabama 13
88 October 22, 2005 Tuscaloosa, AL #5 Alabama‡ 6 #17 Tennessee 3
89 October 21, 2006 Knoxville, TN #7 Tennessee 16 Alabama 13
90 October 20, 2007 Tuscaloosa, AL Alabama 41 #20 Tennessee 17
91 October 25, 2008 Knoxville, TN #2 Alabama 29 Tennessee 9
92 October 24, 2009 Tuscaloosa, AL #1 Alabama 12 Tennessee 10
93 October 23, 2010 Knoxville, TN #8 Alabama 41 Tennessee 10
94 October 22, 2011 Tuscaloosa, AL #2 Alabama 37 Tennessee 6
95 October 20, 2012 Knoxville, TN #1 Alabama 44 Tennessee 13
96 October 26, 2013 Tuscaloosa, AL #1 Alabama 45 Tennessee 10
97 October 25, 2014 Knoxville, TN #4 Alabama 34 Tennessee 20
98 October 24, 2015 Tuscaloosa, AL #8 Alabama 19 Tennessee 14
99 October 15, 2016 Knoxville, TN #1 Alabama 49 #9 Tennessee 10
100 October 21, 2017 Tuscaloosa, AL #1 Alabama 45 Tennessee 7
101 October 20, 2018 Knoxville, TN #1 Alabama 58 Tennessee 21
102 October 19, 2019 Tuscaloosa, AL #1 Alabama 35 Tennessee 13
103 October 24, 2020 Knoxville, TN #2 Alabama 48 Tennessee 17
104 October 23, 2021 Tuscaloosa, AL #4 Alabama 52 Tennessee 24
105 October 15, 2022 Knoxville, TN #6 Tennessee 52 #3 Alabama 49
106 October 21, 2023 Tuscaloosa, AL #11 Alabama 34 #17 Tennessee 20
Series: Alabama leads 59–39–7
† Alabama forfeited 1993 tie as part of NCAA penalties
‡ Alabama vacated 2005 win as part of NCAA penalties
  1. ^ Alabama's 1993 tie was forfeited as the NCAA found Antonio Langham guilty of receiving improper benefits after signing with an agent following the 1992 season, forcing Alabama to forfeit all games in which Langham competed.[16][17]
  2. ^ Alabama's 2005 victory was vacated as part of NCAA sanctions.[18][17]

Results by Location[edit]

City Games Alabama victories Tennessee victories Tie games Years played
Knoxville, TN 49 27 21 1 1909–present
Birmingham, AL 41 21 14 6 1901–1912, 1932–1997
Tuscaloosa, AL 16 11 4 0 1913–1930, 1999–present

Coaching records[edit]

Alabama[edit]

Head Coach Games Seasons Wins Losses Ties Win %
Nick Saban 17 2007–2023 16 1 0 0.941
Mike Shula 4 2003–2006 0 4 0 0.000
Dennis Franchione 2 2001–2002 1 1 0 0.000
Mike DuBose 4 1997–2000 0 4 0 0.000
Gene Stallings 7 1990–1996 4 3 0 0.571
Bill Curry 3 1987–1989 3 0 0 1.000
Ray Perkins 4 1983–1986 1 3 0 0.250
Bear Bryant 25 1958–1982 16 7 2 0.696
Jennings B. Whitworth 3 1955–1957 0 3 0 0.000
Harold Drew 8 1947–1954 2 4 2 0.375
Frank Thomas 15 1931–1946 7 6 2 0.533
Wallace Wade 3 1923–1930 1 2 0 0.333
D.V Graves 3 1911–1914 2 1 0 0.666
J.W.H. Pollard 4 1906–1909 4 0 0 1.000
Jack Leavenworth 1 1905 1 0 0 1.000
W.B. Blount 2 1903–1904 1 1 0 0.500
M.S. Harvey 1 1901 0 0 1 0.500

Tennessee[edit]

Head Coach Games Seasons Wins Losses Ties Win %
Josh Heupel 3 2021–present 1 2 0 0.333
Jeremy Pruitt 3 2018–2020 0 3 0 0.000
Butch Jones 5 2013–2017 0 5 0 0.000
Derek Dooley 3 2010–2012 0 3 0 0.000
Lane Kiffin 1 2009 0 1 0 0.000
Phillip Fulmer 16 1992–2008 11 4 0 0.733
Johnny Majors 16 1977–1992 4 12 0 0.250
Bill Battle 7 1970–1976 1 6 0 0.143
Doug Dickey 6 1964–1969 3 2 1 0.583
Jim McDonald 1 1963 0 1 0 0.000
Bowden Wyatt 8 1955–1962 5 2 1 0.688
Harvey Robinson 2 1953–1954 0 1 1 0.250
Robert Neyland 19 1946–1952,

1936–1940, 1926–1934

12 5 2 0.684
John Barnhill 4 1944–1945,

1941–1942

0 3 1 0.125
W.H. Britton 1 1935 0 1 0 0.000
Zora G. Clevenger 3 1911–1915 1 2 0 0.333
George Levene 3 1907–1909 0 3 0 0.000
James DePree 2 1905–1906 0 2 0 0.000
Sax Crawford 1 1904 1 0 0 1.000
Hubert Fisher 1 1902–1903 0 1 0 0.000
Gilbert Kelly 1 1901 0 0 1 0.500

Notable games[edit]

1901: 1901 was the first meeting between the two teams.[19] It ended early in a 6–6 tie, when fans rushed onto the field after a controversial offside call and the umpires were unable to clear out the crowd in the second half. In the game, J. L. Broug scored for Tennessee and A. W. Stewart scored for Alabama.[20]

1903: Alabama recorded their first victory in the series with a 24–0 victory in Birmingham.[21]

1904: Tennessee recorded their first victory in the series with a 5–0 victory in Birmingham.[22]

1909: The 1909 meeting of the series was the first to be played in Knoxville. Tennessee fans chased referee R. T. Elgin away from the stadium. Elgin jumped aboard a moving streetcar.[23]

1939: In 1939, #5 Tennessee defeated Alabama 21–0. At this time, the Alabama–Tennessee rivalry was officially designated as Third Saturday in October.[24][25]

1950: Alabama had a 3–0 first quarter lead with his 20-yard field goal. Tennessee responded with a two-yard Andy Kozar touchdown run in the second quarter to give the Vols a 7–3 halftime lead. After a 43-yard Bobby Marlow touchdown run in the third gave Alabama a 9–7 lead, Kozar scored the game-winning touchdown on a fourth-and-one play, from the Alabama one-yard line, with less than one minute remaining in the game for a 14–9 Tennessee victory.[26]

1964: In 1964, David Ray gave the Crimson Tide an early 3–0 lead after he connected on a 30-yard field goal in the first quarter.[27][28] Alabama then extended their lead to 16–0 at halftime with a pair of second-quarter touchdowns. The first came on a one-yard Steve Sloan run and the second after Wayne Cook blocked a Tennessee punt that Gaylon McCollough returned 22-yards for a touchdown. The Volunteers cut the Tide's lead in half to 16–8 with a seven-yard Hal Wantland touchdown run and two-point conversion in the third quarter. A 23-yard Ray field goal in the fourth quarter provided for the final 19–8 Alabama victory.[29]

1965: In a game that saw multiple turnovers result in failed touchdown opportunities, Alabama tied Tennessee 7–7 at Legion Field.[30] After a scoreless first quarter, both teams scored their only touchdown in the second. Stan Mitchell scored first for the Vols on a one-yard run and Steve Sloan followed for Alabama with his one-yard run. The Crimson Tide had a chance to win the game in the final minute of the game. With only 0:36 remaining in the game, Alabama had possession at the Tennessee six-yard line.[31] However, Alabama quarterback Ken Stabler thought the Tide gained a first down on the previous play and threw the ball out-of-bounds on a fourth down play and turned the ball over on downs back to the Vols. Tennessee then ran out the clock for the tie.[32][33]

1966: A week following Alabama's win over Clemson, Alabama regained the No. 3 position in the AP Poll prior to the game against Tennessee. At a rain-soaked Neyland Stadium, Alabama overcame a 10–0 fourth quarter deficit and defeated the Vols 11–10 and preserved their perfect record.[34] Tennessee scored all of their points in the first quarter. The first points came on a six-yard Dewey Warren touchdown pass to Austin Denney and next on a 40-yard Gary Wright field goal for a 10–0 lead. Still up by 10, the Crimson Tide made their comeback in the fourth quarter. Ken Stabler scored on a one-yard touchdown run and then successfully converted the two-point conversion on a short pass to Wayne Cook that made the score 10–8. With 3:23 left in the game, Steve Davis kicked the 17-yard, game-winning field goal that made the score 11–10. The Volunteers did manage to set up a 19-yard field goal attempt that went wide in the final 0:20 of the contest. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 23–19–7.[35]

1967: In 1967, both Alabama and Tennessee were ranked in top ten.[36][37] The game started with Walter Chadwick scored on a one-yard touchdown run for the Vols, Alabama responded with an eight-yard touchdown that tied the game 7–7 at the end of the first quarter. The score remained tied at the half after a scoreless second quarter.

Tennessee then took a 17–7 lead in the third quarter on an 11-yard Chadwick touchdown pass to Ken DeLong and a 47-yard Karl Kremser field goal. Alabama responded with their final points early in the fourth quarter on a one-yard Ed Morgan touchdown run, but a pass was later intercepted by Albert Dorsey and returned 31-yards for a touchdown and a 24–13 Vols victory. The Tennessee win was also their first over the Crimson Tide since the 1960 season.[37][38]

1968: In 1968, coach Bryant decide to go for the victory instead of a tie in the final minutes of the game, and after the failed two-point conversion the Volunteers held onto a 10–9 victory at Knoxville.[39] Tennessee took an early 7–0 lead in the first quarter after Richmond Flowers scored on a one-yard touchdown run. Alabama responded later in the quarter with a 28-yard Mike Dean field goal that made the score 7–3. The score remained the same through the fourth quarter when Karl Kremser kicked what was then a SEC record 54-yard field goal that extended the Volunteers lead to 10–3.[40][41]

After the Tennessee field goal, the Crimson Tide had their most sustained drive of the game. The 80-yard drive culminated in a four-yard Donnie Sutton touchdown reception from Scott Hunter that made the score 10–9. However, instead of playing for the tie and kicking the extra point, coach Bryant elected to go for the win on a two-point conversion. On the attempt, Joe Kelley failed to complete the pass to Sutton and Tennessee won the game as a result 10–9.[40]

1972: After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide took a 3–0 lead into halftime after Bill Davis connected on a 31-yard field goal in the second. Tennessee then took a 7–3 lead on a two-yard Condredge Holloway touchdown run in the third, and extended it to 10–3 with a 36-yard Ricky Townsend field goal in the fourth quarter. With 2:39 left in the game, Alabama took possession at the Vols 48-yard line, and three plays later Wilbur Jackson scored on a two-yard run. On the Tennessee possession that ensued, John Mitchell recovered a Holloway fumble at the Vols' 17-yard line. On the next play, Terry Davis gave Alabama a 17–10 lead with his touchdown run with just over one minute left in the game.[42] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 25–23–7.[43]

1982: Bear Bryant makes his final trip to Neyland Stadium. #2 Alabama's 11-game win streak over the Vols comes to an end 35–28 as Tennessee coach Johnny Majors is carried to mid-field in celebration to shake Bryant's hand one last time.[44] At the time, the largest crowd in NCAA football history witnessed this game, partly due to the World's Fair being in Knoxville in 1982.[45]

1989: In 1989, both teams entered the game undefeated and ranked in the top ten.[46][47] #10 Alabama defeated #6 Tennessee in an offensive shootout, 47–30.[48]

1990: 2–3 Alabama traveled to Knoxville to face undefeated, #3 Tennessee. The score was tied at 6–6 with 1:35 remaining when Tennessee kicker Greg Harris' 50-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Alabama's Stacy Harrison. The ball bounced all the way to the Tennessee 37 yard line, setting up a field goal attempt for Alabama kicker Philip Doyle 3 plays later. Doyle converted the 48 yard attempt as time expired, giving Alabama a stunning 9–6 upset victory, considered by some the biggest upset in series history.[49]

1993: 5–1, #10 Tennessee led #2, defending national champion Alabama at Legion Field 17–9 with 1:44 remaining. Alabama quarterback Jay Barker then led an 83-yard touchdown drive to close the gap to 17–15 before star wide receiver David Palmer ran in a two-point conversion to tie the game at 17 with only 21 seconds remaining. Tennessee elected to run out the clock, preserving the 17–17 tie – the last tie in Alabama football history — and ending Alabama's 28 game winning streak. Alabama later had to forfeit this game and it is officially considered a Tennessee win.[50]

1995: Having not defeated Alabama since 1985, #6 Tennessee and sophomore quarterback Peyton Manning defeated #10 Alabama in a rout. Unlike past contests, this game was dominated by the Volunteers from the beginning — Peyton Manning threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to Joey Kent on the very first play of the game.[51]

1997: The final game in the series is played in Birmingham. Alabama would later play their home games in the series in Tuscaloosa. Tennessee won the game and starting quarterback Peyton Manning famously led the Pride of the Southland Band following the victory.[52]

1998: The Vols continue their unexpected and undefeated march to Tempe and the national championship by defeating Alabama 35–18 in Knoxville.[53] Tennessee extend their streak to four in the row against Alabama.[54]

2002: #19 Alabama, banned from postseason play due to NCAA probation,[55] defeated #16 Tennessee 34–14 in Knoxville, ending Tennessee's seven-game winning streak – their longest streak in series history.[56]

2003: #22 Tennessee, fighting to stay alive in the SEC East, traveled to Tuscaloosa to take on the unranked Crimson Tide. The two teams went to an unprecedented five overtime periods before Tennessee finally breaks the ice in the fifth overtime scoring a touchdown and the mandatory two-point conversion. Alabama would fail to answer the touchdown and Tennessee left Tuscaloosa victorious with a 51–43 win in the longest game in either team's history.[57]

2005: Tennessee returned to Tuscaloosa ranked 17th after a disappointing 3–2 start following their preseason #3 ranking.[58] Alabama came in ranked #5 and undefeated, their highest ranking entering the game since 1993. A defensive struggle ensued, with neither team able to find the endzone. With the score tied at 3–3, Tennessee appeared ready to score the game's first touchdown with 5:08 remaining. Running back Cory Anderson caught a swing pass and reached the two yard line before Alabama's Roman Harper knocked the ball loose and through the endzone for a touchback. Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle then drove the Tide down into field goal range where Jamie Christensen kicked the game-winning field goal with 13 seconds left to give the Crimson Tide a 6–3 win and keep their undefeated season alive.[59]

2009 Tennessee vs. Alabama

2009: Despite #1 Alabama entering the game as a 14-point favorite,[60] the Crimson Tide struggled with the Volunteers, holding only a slim 12–3 lead late in the fourth quarter. With Alabama attempting to kill the clock, eventual Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram II fumbled for the first time in 296 carries, giving Tennessee the ball in Alabama territory. Tennessee scored the first touchdown of the game eight plays later, making the score 12–10. Tennessee then recovered an onside kick at their own 41 yard line, needing only a field goal to pull off the upset. After reaching the Alabama 28 yard line, Tennessee attempted a would-be game-winning field goal of 43 yards.[61][62] Alabama's standout defensive lineman, Terrence Cody, blocked the low line-drive kick, his second blocked field goal of the quarter, preserving the 12–10 Alabama victory en route to an eventual National Championship.[61][63]

2015: Tennessee came to Tuscaloosa immediately after a big win against rival Georgia and hoped to get another upset, while Alabama was focused on keeping its College Football Playoff hopes alive.[64] At half time, the game was tied 7–7. Alabama kicked two field goals in the second half, giving them a 13–7 lead in the 4th quarter. With 5:49 left on the clock, Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd scored a touchdown to give the Vols a late 14–13 lead.[65] Alabama responded with a lengthy drive capped off by a 14-yard touchdown run by eventual Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry.[62] Alabama attempted a two-point conversion to stretch the lead to a touchdown, but failed, leaving the score at 19–14. On the ensuing drive, Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs was sacked by linebacker Ryan Anderson, leading to a fumble recovered by A'Shawn Robinson. The Crimson Tide then killed the clock, preserving a narrow 19–14 victory and extending their winning streak in the series to 9 games.[66] Alabama would eventually win the College Football Playoff national championship that season.[67]

2018: Alabama defeated Tennessee 58–21 in Knoxville. The 58 points scored by Alabama set a new single-game record for points scored in the series.[68]

2022: The two teams entered the game undefeated for the first time since 1989.[69] #6 Tennessee jumped out to an early 28–10 lead before Alabama quarterback Bryce Young brought the #3 Tide back to take the lead in the third quarter. The teams traded touchdowns up to the final minute, leaving the score tied 49–49. Alabama had the ball at Tennessee's 32-yard line with under a minute remaining, where Tennessee forced three straight incompletions. Alabama missed a field goal with 15 seconds remaining, and Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker was able to get the Vols in range for a game winning field goal as time expired. Tennessee kicker Chase McGrath converted the 40-yard attempt, breaking Tennessee's 15-year losing streak to Alabama. Tennessee fans at Neyland Stadium stormed the field and tore the goalposts down in celebration.[70] Tennessee receiver Jalin Hyatt had an incredible performance, catching five touchdowns out of his six catches and having 207 total receiving yards.[71] Tennessee's 52 points were the most points scored against any Alabama team since 1907.[72]

Rivalry ties[edit]

Both football programs share very notable people.

Alvin Kamara, a running back for the New Orleans Saints of the NFL, is the most accomplished professional football player to have played for both Alabama and Tennessee.[73] Kamara started his college career at Alabama before ending up at Tennessee after a stint at Hutchinson Community College.[74][75][76]

Bill Battle, Alabama's athletic director from 2013 to 2017, was the head coach of Tennessee from 1970 to 1976 and played on the Crimson Tide's 1961 national championship squad.[77]

Former Tennessee athletic director from 2011 to 2017 Dave Hart played basketball for the Crimson Tide under head coach C. M. Newton and earned a master's degree from University of Alabama in 1972 while working as a graduate assistant men's basketball coach. During his time at Alabama, he worked as executive director of athletics.[78][79]

Lane Kiffin, Alabama's offensive coordinator from 2014 to 2016, was head coach at Tennessee in 2009.[80][81]

Jeremy Pruitt, Alabama's defensive coordinator from 2016 to 2017, was the head coach at Tennessee from 2018 to 2020.[82][83]

Butch Jones, former Tennessee head coach from 2013 to 2017, was an analyst for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 2018 to 2020.[84][85]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Cook, Beano (October 17, 2001). "ESPN Classic - The third Saturday in October". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "Distance between University of Alabama campus to University of Tennessee campus". Google Maps. Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  3. ^ "Distance Between Tuscaloosa, AL and Knoxville, TN". Distance Between Cities. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  4. ^ Schexnayder, C. J. (October 20, 2011). "RBR Reading Room: Third Saturday in October". Roll 'Bama Roll. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  5. ^ Kelley, Kevin (October 29, 2015). "2016 SEC Football Schedule Announced". fbschedules. Retrieved July 27, 2016.
  6. ^ "The Record Book" (PDF). University of Alabama Athletics. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 20, 2009. Retrieved October 25, 2008.
  7. ^ "Alabama–Tennessee Record". mcubed.net. Retrieved August 7, 2016.
  8. ^ a b "Flashback: The Great Games — The All-Time Top 10". Fox Sports. June 19, 2008. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  9. ^ Browning, Al (2001). Third Saturday in October: The Game-By-Game Story of the South's Most Intense Football Rivalry. Cumberland House. ISBN 978-1-58182-217-5.
  10. ^ Dunnavant, Keith (2006). "The Missing Ring". The Missing Ring: How Bear Bryant and the 1966 Alabama Crimson Tide Were Denied College Football's Most Elusive Prize. Macmillan. p. 170. ISBN 978-0-312-33683-7.
  11. ^ "The Third Saturday in October". Associated Press. October 21, 2006. Retrieved October 25, 2008.
  12. ^ Davis, Patrick (October 19, 2008). "Alabama/Tennessee to Commit NCAA Violation This Saturday". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  13. ^ Walsh, Christopher (October 23, 2014). "Despite streaks, 'Third Saturday in October' still a big rivalry". Saturday Down South. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  14. ^ Murphy, Sam (October 12, 2022). "SERIES HISTORY: The 15-year win streak Alabama has over Tennessee". Roll Tide Wire. USA Today. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  15. ^ Stephenson, Creg (October 12, 2022). "5 'streak-starters' that have defined Alabama-Tennessee". AL.com. Retrieved February 22, 2024.
  16. ^ "A timeline of Alabama's NCAA problems". Ledger-Enquirer. Columbus, GA. Associated Press. May 28, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
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Further reading[edit]

  • Browning, Al (2001). Third Saturday in October: The Game-By-Game Story of the South's Most Intense Football Rivalry. Cumberland House. ISBN 978-1-58182-217-5.