Tennessee Volunteers fans are heading into the "Third Saturday of October" a little weary given the Vols' 5-1 record and rocky games the past few weekends. All things considered, the Volunteers' matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide is still one of the most anxiously awaited college football games of the season.
The Vols are coming off a 2025 loss. The game finished 37-20, and Alabama took home the win. Last year's game was played in Tuscaloosa, but this year's game will be in Neyland Stadium, and Tennessee has won the last two times it played the Crimson Tide at home, in 2022 and 2024.
Infamous former head coach, Nick Saban even once said he considered Tennessee a bigger rivalthan the Auburn Tigers. Luckily, there's an answer to that debate.
Every year, New York Times-owned sports publication The Athletic ranks the top 100 college football rivalries ahead of the season. Tennessee and Alabama's rivalry fell just outside the top 10 at No. 11.
History of Tennessee vs. Alabama rivalry
Saturday, Oct. 18, marks the 109th "Third Saturday in October," the day the Vols historically take on the Crimson Tide, but the game hasn't always fallen on that day.
The rivalry dates back to Nov. 28, 1901, when the game, played in Birmingham on Thanksgiving Day, ended in a 6-6 tie. Tennessee and Alabama played each other on Thanksgiving and in Birmingham the first seven times the two teams met.
Alabama leads the series 61-40-7. Tennessee was on a 15-year losing streak when it beat the Tide in 2022 during a game that ended with crowds rushing the field and fans tearing down the goalposts and bringing one to the Tennessee River.
"The Third Saturday in October is special and gets Vols fans going like no other Saturday. But there’s no shame in watching the other side smoke cigars," The Athletic said.
The winning team typically smokes cigars to celebrate.
What time does Tennessee play Alabama this Saturday?
The Crimson Tide will travel from Tuscaloosa to Knoxville on Saturday, Oct. 18 to take on the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium at 3:30 p.m. ET.
How to watch Tennessee vs. Alabama game
The Tennessee vs. Alabama rivalry game will be broadcast on ABC at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Watch Alabama at Tennessee with a FUBO free trial
What are the top 10 college football rivalries?
Tennessee vs. Alabama just missed the top 10, finishing in the 11th spot. Here are the rivalries that ranked ahead of "The Third Saturday in October."
- 10. University of Minnesota vs. University of Wisconsin
- 9. University of Florida vs. Florida State University
- 8. Pennsylvania State University vs. Ohio State University
- 7. University of Miami vs. Ohio State University
- 6. University of Oklahoma vs. University of Nebraska
- 5. University of Southern California vs. Notre Dame
- 4. Army vs. Navy
- 3. University of Texas vs. University of Oklahoma
- 2. Auburn University vs. University of Alabama
- 1. Ohio State University vs. University of Michigan
Afton Pratt covers trending and breaking news for Knox News and Tennessee. She can be reached at ampratt@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Is Tennessee vs. Alabama one of college football's top rivalries? It dates back to 1901
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