Alabama is currently in the midst of one of the most impressive runs in college football history. While Nick Saban deserves all the credit he receives for turning the Crimson Tide into a juggernaut, the program would not be as great without the NFL prospects the program annually churns out. When you take that into account, it’s no surprise to see Alabama ranked among the best in the nation in producing elite NFL talent.

What may surprise you, however, is to see Tennessee rank just above the Tide in the same category dating back to the year 2000.

In a recent attempt to grade schools in terms of best NFL players produced since 2000, NFL.com’s Chase Goodbread listed Tennessee at No. 6 in the nation — one spot above Alabama. Using a formula to grade players on specific annual NFL achievements, such as MVPs and Pro Bowl selections, with consideration to where a player was drafted (meaning a later round pick that went on to glory in the NFL rated higher than a first or second round selection), Tennessee just edged out Alabama by a score of 115.4 to 114.4.

Tennessee earned the most points from these former players: tight end Jason Witten, safety Eric Berry, defensive lineman Albert Haynesworth, running back Jamal Lewis and linebacker Jerod Mayo.

The former players helping out Alabama the most in this formula: running back Shaun Alexander, receiver Julio Jones, linebacker DeMeco Ryan, safety Landon Collins and offensive lineman Evan Mathis.

The two annual rivals were the only two schools to make the list from the SEC.