This Saturday afternoon, the Alabama Crimson Tide will travel to Knoxville for the latest chapter of the storied rivalry against a long-time SEC foe, the Tennessee Volunteers.
Known as "The Third Saturday in October," this is a matchup that has produced mixed results in recent years after a dominant decade-plus stretch in the rivalry under former Alabama head coach Nick Saban. The teams have split the last four meetings between the two since 2022, with the home team winning in both Tuscaloosa and Knoxville.
Both of those two Alabama losses in Knoxville have come in a pair of close games though, 52-49 and 24-17, both of which the Crimson Tide entered as the higher ranked team. Alabama struggled in multiple areas during both games, especially with
penalties where they committed 17 and 15 in both, respectively.
With the latest matchup also a Top 25 showdown similar to the previous two, can Alabama avoid a third-straight loss in Knoxville? Here is everything you need to know about the Volunteers ahead of Saturday's matchup.
Tennessee Volunteers 2026 overview
- Conference: SEC
- Stadium: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee
- Record: 5-1 overall (2-1 SEC)
- Ranking: No. 14 in US LBM Coaches Poll, No. 14 in AP Poll
Tennessee enters Saturday ranked as the nation's No. 14 team sporting a 5-1 overall (2-1 SEC) record. Tennessee's lone loss came at home to Texas, 20-17, while the Volunteers' best wins are against Auburn and Georgia Tech, the latter of which was on the road.
Tennessee Volunteers 2026 coaching staff
- Head Coach: Josh Heupel
- Offensive Coordinator: Joey Halzle
- Defensive Coordinator: Jim Knowles
Josh Heupel is in his sixth season as the head coach at Tennessee where he owns a combined 50-21 record dating back to 2021. Joey Halzle is in his fourth season as the Volunteers offensive coordinator, while Jim Knowles is in his first season in Knoxville after spending over a decade-plus in the FBS as a defensive coordinator.
Tennessee Volunteers 2026 offensive stats
- Points Per Game: 34.7 (No. 45 in FBS)
- Total Yards Per Game: 414.8
- Passing Yards Per Game: 186.5
- Rushing Yards Per Game: 228.3
Tennessee's offense is currently averaging 34.7 points per game this season, a total which ranks No. 45 among FBS teams. The strength of Tennessee's offense is their run game which ranks No. 2 in the SEC at 228.3 yards a contest, though their passing attack is the conference's worst at only 186.5 yards per game.
Tennessee Volunteers 2026 defensive stats
- Points Per Game Allowed: 15.5 (No. 19 in FBS)
- Total Yards Per Game Allowed: 293.7
- Passing Yards Per Game Allowed: 161.3
- Rushing Yards Per Game Allowed: 132.3
Tennessee's defense is likely their biggest strength overall allowing only 15.5 points per game to opponents, a total which ranks No. 19 nationally, as well as No. 2 in the SEC. The Volunteers also rank fifth in the SEC with 293.7 yards per game allowed to opponents, as well as No. 2 in pass defense with only 161.3 yards allowed a game.
Tennessee Volunteers 2026 offensive players to know
- DeSean Bishop, Running Back, Senior
- Mike Matthews, Wide Receiver, Junior
- Faizon Brandon, Quarterback, Freshman
- David Sanders Jr., Offensive Line, Sophomore
- Braylon Staley, Wide Receiver, Junior
Arguably the Volunteers' biggest name to know regardless of position is senior DeSean Bishop, who is among the SEC's top running backs who had 123 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries against Alabama a year ago. The quarterback position this season for Tennessee has featured both true freshman Faizon Brandon and sophomore George MacIntyre, the former of which is the primary starter when healthy.
Tennessee Volunteers 2026 defensive players to know
- Xavier Gilliam, Defensive Line, Junior
- Amare Campbell, Linebacker, Senior
- Dejuan Lane, Defensive Back, Junior
- Arion Carter, Linebacker, Senior
- Tyree Weathersby, Defensive Line, Senior
The Volunteers' defense is headlined by a number of transfers such as Xavier Gilliam, Amare Campbell, and Dejuan Lane, each of which followed defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from Penn State this offseason. Arion Carter also returns for the Volunteers this season as one of the most experienced linebackers in the SEC.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football Week 7 opponent preview: Tennessee Volunteers
