Former Alabama Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban had a reminder for Tennessee Volunteers fans during a segment on ESPN's "College GameDay" Saturday.
"GameDay" was live from Knoxville ahead of Tennessee's clash with the top-ranked Texas Longhorns at Neyland Stadium. When asked if he was all-in on Tennessee or Texas as the "real UT," Saban had some fun at the expense of Vols fans.
"So I am all in on the University of Tennessee," Saban said to loud applause from the Volunteer faithful, who began chanting Saban's name in approval.
It didn't take long for the crowd to turn its cheers into jeers.
Saban, the seven-time national champion coach and longtime tormentor of the Vols during his 17 seasons at Alabama, explained why he was "all-in" on Tennessee.
"Because...
because... because..." Saban teased. "We smoked 16 out of 17 cigars when we played you all."
Saban led Alabama to 15 consecutive wins over Tennessee from 2007-2021, the longest winning streak in the history of the Third Saturday in October rivalry, which dates back to 1901. The Vols ended the winning streak with a 52-49 victory in Knoxville as time expired in 2022.
The series has been even since then with Tennessee winning the last two meetings at Neyland Stadium. Dating back to 2005, though, Alabama has won 11 straight against the Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium, including a 34-20 victory in Saban's final season as coach.
The Tide and Vols will meet for the 109th edition of the Third Saturday in October rivalry on Oct. 17 in Knoxville. Alabama leads the all-time series, 61-39-8.
In August, Alabama and Tennessee announced they would both wear home jerseys for this year's game at Neyland Stadium, as well as next year's clash in Tuscaloosa.
Texas defeated Tennessee, 20-17, Saturday.
Watch former Alabama football coach Nick Saban troll Tennessee fans
"We smoked 16 out of 17 cigars when we played you all."
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 26, 2026
Nick Saban to Tennessee fans on College GameDay. 🏈💀🎙️pic.twitter.com/kg40oTmfBV
Alabama football schedule 2026
All times Central.
- Sept. 5: vs. East Carolina Pirates (W, 48-10)
- Sept. 12: at Kentucky Wildcats (W, 45-17)
- Sept. 19: vs. Florida State Seminoles (W, 50-36)
- Sept. 26: vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (W, 49-18)
- Oct. 3: at Mississippi State Bulldogs, 11 a.m., ABC
- Oct. 10: vs. Georgia Bulldogs, prime time
- Oct. 17: at Tennessee Volunteers, TBA
- Oct. 24: vs. Texas A&M Aggies, TBA
- Nov. 7: at LSU Tigers, TBA
- Nov. 14: at Vanderbilt Commodores, TBA
- Nov. 21: vs. Chattanooga Mocs, 1 p.m., SEC Network+
- Nov. 28: vs. Auburn Tigers, TBA
Record: 3-0 overall, 1-0 SEC.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama legend Nick Saban trolled Tennessee fans on 'College GameDay'
