The Alabama Crimson Tide head to Knoxville this week to face their bitter rivals, the Tennessee Volunteers, in the annual Third Saturday in October showdown. Alabama will be seeking its 17th win in 18 meetings against the Vols dating back to the 2007 season.
The Crimson Tide (5-1) survived a scare from the South Carolina Gamecocks in Tuscaloosa last Saturday, getting a late-game interception from Domani Jackson to stave off an upset for the second week in a row. The Tide are ranked No. 7 in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll.
Tennessee (5-1) is ranked No. 10 but have looked sloppy the past two weeks, as well. After suffering their first loss of the season in a 19-14 upset loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks on Oct. 5, the Vols also had to hold off an upset bid by Billy Napier’s Florida Gators in a 23-17 overtime victory at Neyland Stadium last Saturday.
Which top 10 team does USA TODAY Sports college football experts favor in Week 8’s matchup between Alabama and Tennessee?
The six-member panel of Dan Wolken, Paul Myerberg, Eddie Timanus, Scooby Axson, Jordan Mendoza and Erick Smith were divided in their picks for this year’s Third Saturday clash in the group’s weekly Top 25 college football predictions, released Thursday.
Four of the six — Myerberg, Mendoza, Smith and Timanus — picked Alabama to win. Wolken and Axson favored Tennessee.
RELATED: Alabama vs. Tennessee injury report: Latest updates, news for Week 8
Alabama will be looking to avenge a 52-49 loss to Tennessee in their last trip to Knoxville in 2022. The Tide has dominated the series since 2007, Nick Saban’s first year in Tuscaloosa, but the Alabama-Tennessee rivalry has always been very streaky.
Prior to Saban’s arrival, Tennessee reeled off 10 wins in 12 meetings from 1995-2006. Before that, the Crimson Tide won every game against the Volunteers from 1986-94, with the exception of one tie in 1993. Alabama leads the all-time series with Tennessee, 59-39-7.
No head coach wants to start his first season at the Capstone off with a loss to Tennessee, even if the Vols have become a more improved program under Josh Heupel after years of struggles and instability. That’s especially true for coach Kalen DeBoer, who already has a loss to Vanderbilt on his résumé in Year 1.
The first question DeBoer received at his Monday press conference this week was about the Alabama-Tennessee series. DeBoer said he understood the rivalry’s importance and significance.
“I’ve been told it’s a big deal, and I know it’s a big deal,” DeBoer said. “You see it from afar. These are the games… they’re the big ones that are on the schedule. As a coach, they’re all big in different ways and you take (them) one at a time. But certainly understand the significance of the rivalry. Guys are going to be very motivated to go out and do their best and prepare well and be great on Saturday.”
Kickoff for Alabama vs. Tennessee is set for 2:30 p.m Saturday. The game can be seen on ABC. It’s the first time since 1993 that the Alabama-Tennessee game will air on ABC.
Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook for ongoing coverage of Alabama news and notes, plus opinions.