The outcome of the latest game in the long-standing rivalry known as the Third Saturday in October could be very important for both Alabama and Tennessee.
On Saturday, the seventh-ranked Crimson Tide will face No. 11 Tennessee, with the winner gaining an easier path to a spot in the College Football Playoff in this first year of the 12-team format. This game is also key for the Southeastern Conference standings, as both teams are tied with one loss each in the expanded SEC.
“It’s a rivalry game,” said Tennessee coach Josh Heupel. “College football as good as it gets.”
Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC) dropped three spots in the AP Top 25 after an overtime victory against Florida. For Alabama, Tennessee is encouraging fans to wear all orange, as the Vols have won 16 of their last 17 games at Neyland Stadium, with the only loss to then-No. 1 Georgia.
“This game is obviously a big deal to the fans and … to us,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said about playing in the 101,915-seat stadium for the first time.
Adding to the importance of this match is how both teams have faced similar challenges in the past two weeks.
Alabama experienced a historic loss at Vanderbilt, which had never beaten an AP Top 25 team in 60 previous attempts. The Tide then had a tough time against South Carolina, winning just 27-25 at home. Tennessee’s four-game winning streak came to an end with a 19-14 loss at Arkansas before they narrowly defeated the Gators.
