The Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide have battled one another 107 times in college football. Tennessee believes it has 40 wins in their rivalry. Alabama says the Vols have only 39 victories in their matchups. While they may not agree on the number of Tennessee triumphs, they are in lockstep on when this game is played: the third Saturday in October.
No, the Vols and Crimson Tide have not played every single year on that respective date. For all intents and purposes, though, that’s when their fanbases mark their calendars for their showdown. This year’s meeting, on Oct. 18, happens to truly be on the third Saturday of the month.
So, who does ESPN’s Football Power Index see winning on Saturday? That’d be the home team. FPI gives the Crimson Tide a 72.4% chance to beat the Volunteers this go-round.
Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC) and Alabama (5-1, 3-0 SEC) are both entering their contest as ranked teams for the fourth straight year. The Vols, at No. 11, beat Arkansas 34-31 in Week 6. The Crimson Tide, at No. 6, defeated then-No. 14 Missouri 27-24 on the road last week. Alabama’s victory gave them 3 wins over ranked teams in 3 weeks. Another positive result this coming Saturday will make it 4 ranked wins in 4 tries for the Crimson Tide.
From 2007-2021, Alabama prevailed over Tennessee 15 straight times. The Vols have taken 2 of the past 3 games, though, under head coach Josh Heupel. Both of those wins came in Knoxville; Tennessee hasn’t emerged victorious in Tuscaloosa since 2003, when the Vols won 51-43 in 5 overtimes.
Kickoff between the 2 rivals is set for 7:30 p.m. E.T. (ABC).
