alabama vs tennessee – Syndication Server

How every Alabama football coach since Bear Bryant fared in first Tennessee game

Kalen DeBoer lost in his first taste of the Alabama-Tennessee rivalry game. Here’s how past Crimson Tide coaches fared in their first games against the Vols.

First-year Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer lost his first ‘Third Saturday in October’ rivalry game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, 24-17.

The loss dropped Alabama to 5-2 overall and 2-2 in SEC play, casting serious doubt on the Crimson Tide’s once-promising hopes of reaching the 12-team College Football Playoff at season’s end.

Tennessee was far from perfect but outgained Alabama by 105 yards and improved to 6-1, enjoying a victory cigar for the second time in the last three meetings against the Tide.

DeBoer is far from the only Alabama coach to lose his first head-to-head matchup against the Vols, though. From Nick Saban back to Bear Bryant, here’s a look at how past Alabama coaches fared in their first meeting with Tennessee, as well as their all-time records against the Vols and biggest margins of victory.

Nick Saban (2007-2023)

Oct 23, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban looks on during the first half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

First Meeting: Alabama 41, Tennessee 17 (Oct. 20, 2007, Bryant-Denny Stadium)

Overall Record vs. Tennessee: 16-1

Largest Margin of Victory: Alabama 49, Tennessee 10 (Oct. 15. 2016, Neyland Stadium)

Mike Shula (2003-2006)

Oct 23, 2004; Knoxville, TN, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide’s Head Coach Mike Shula makes a point during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. The Volunteers won 17-13. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports Copyright (c) 2004 Dale Zanine

First Meeting: Tennessee 51, Alabama 43, 3OT (Oct. 25, 2003, Bryant-Denny Stadium)

Overall Record vs. Tennessee: 1-3

Largest Margin of Victory: Alabama 6, Tennessee 3 (Oct. 22. 2005, Bryant-Denny Stadium)

Dennis Franchione (2001-2002)

27 Dec 2001 : Alabama head coach Dennis Franchione presents the trophy during post-game celebration of the Independence Bowl game against Iowa State at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, Louisiana. Alabama won 14-13. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

First Meeting: Tennessee 35, Alabama 24 (Oct. 20, 2001, Bryant-Denny Stadium)

Overall Record vs. Tennessee: 1-1

Largest Margin of Victory: Alabama 34, Tennessee 14 (Oct. 26. 2002, Neyland Stadium)

Mike DuBose (1997-2000)

24 Oct 1998: Head coach Mike Dubose of the Alabama Crimson Tide watches the field during the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville Tennessee. Tennessee defeated Alabama 35-18. Scott Halleran /Allsport

First Meeting: Tennessee 38, Alabama 21 (Oct. 18, 1997, Legion Field)

Overall Record vs. Tennessee: 0-4

Gene Stallings (1990-1996)

15 OCT 1994: ALABAMA HEAD COACH GENE STALLINGS STANDS ON THE FIELD WITH HIS TEAM BEFORE THE CRIMSON TIDE’S 17-13 VICTORY OVER THE TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS AT NEYLAND STADIUM IN KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE Rick Stewart/ALLSPORT

First Meeting: Alabama 9, Tennessee 6 (Oct. 20, 1990, Neyland Stadium)

Overall Record vs. Tennessee: 3-2-1

Largest Margin of Victory: Alabama 17, Tennessee 10 (Oct. 17. 1992, Neyland Stadium)

Bill Curry (1987-1989)

23 Sep 1989: Coach Bill Curry of the Alabama Crimson Tide walks onto the field with his players before a game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Alabama won the game 15-7. Photo: Allan Steele

First Meeting: Alabama 41, Tennessee 22 (Oct. 17, 1987, Legion Field)

Overall Record vs. Tennessee: 3-0

Largest Margin of Victory: 1987

Ray Perkins (1983-1986)

Unknown date and location, 1986; USA; FILE PHOTO; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Ray Perkins on the field during the 1986 season. Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY NETWORK

First Meeting: Tennessee 41, Alabama 34 (Oct. 15, 1983, Legion Field)

Overall Record vs. Tennessee: 1-3

Largest Margin of Victory: Alabama 56, Tennessee 28 (Oct. 18. 1986, Neyland Stadium)

Bear Bryant (1958-1982)

Nov 28, 1981; Birmingham, AL, USA: FILE PHOTO; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Paul Bear Bryant on the sideline before the game against the Auburn Tigers at Legion Field. Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

First Meeting: Tennessee 14, Alabama 7 (Oct. 18, 1958)

Overall Record vs. Tennessee: 16-7-2

Largest Margin of Victory: Alabama 35, Tennessee 0 (Oct. 19. 1963, Legion Field)

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5 takeaways from Alabama’s brutal 24-17 loss to rival Tennessee

Here are the takeaways from Alabama’s brutal 24-17 loss to Tennessee on Saturday.

The Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide, 24-17, on Saturday at Neyland Stadium to hand coach Kalen DeBoer’s team their second loss of the season.

Alabama dropped to 5-2 overall and just 2-2 in SEC play, while Tennessee improved to 6-1 (3-1 in the SEC).

Here are five takeaways from an ugly afternoon in Knoxville.

The numbers don’t lie

Tennessee outgained Alabama in total offense by over 100 yards; the Vols had 408 yards to the Tide’s 303. Included in that was a glaring 214-64 edge in rushing yards. On third downs, Alabama was 3-of-14 compared to Tennessee’s 7-of-15. Defensively, the Vols’ had nine tackles for loss (-37 yards) to Alabama’s four (-18 yards).

When you look at those numbers, the game wasn’t as close as it was on the scoreboard. That’s a much bigger issue for Alabama.

Tide can’t capitalize on Tennessee mistakes

Tennessee turned the ball over three times against Alabama. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava and backup Gaston Moore threw interceptions in Alabama territory, and Malachi Moore forced a Dylan Sampson fumble at the Crimson Tide 18-yard line on Tennessee’s first possession.

Alabama didn’t take advantage, eventually stalling and punting the ball back to Tennessee after the Sampson fumble. They went three and out after Gaston Moore’s interception when Iamaleava had briefly left the game, and again went three and out after he returned and was picked off by Jaylen Mbakwe.

Tennessee missed a 50-yard field goal try with 4:06 to play in the opening half, only for Alabama to attempt a 54-yard field goal try from Graham Nicholson that was no good.

Alabama remains an undisciplined football team

Penalties, penalties, and more penalties. It was a recurring theme in Saturday’s loss, the second in three years to the Vols. Alabama was flagged 15 times for 115 yards. The most egregious of those came when Kendrick Law lost his cool and was flagged for shoving Tennessee defensive back Boo Carter just after the two-minute timeout in the fourth quarter. The personal foul on Law turned a 4th-and-7 play into 4th and 22.

By all accounts, it was an ugly, sloppy game from both teams. Tennessee was flagged 11 times for 95 yards. But the Vols left more points off the scoreboard than Alabama did, and a more disciplined team than Tennessee wouldn’t have needed an interception on the final drive to seal the game.

Jalen Milroe is regressing

It pains me to say this because he’s been one of my favorite players since stepping on to the field in place of Bryce Young in 2022 against Texas A&M and leading the Tide to victory on that early October night at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

But against Tennessee, Milroe seemed more like that 2022 or early 2023 version of himself than the quarterback who went on to lead Alabama to the College Football Playoff and an SEC Championship Game win over Georgia.

With Alabama facing 2nd and goal from the 3-yard line late in the first quarter, Milroe made a critical error when trying to hit Ryan Williams that resulted in an easy interception by Jermod McCoy. Milroe’s inconsistencies stayed with him throughout the afternoon, and when he missed a wide-open Williams late in the fourth quarter for a potential big gain, the outcome felt inevitable.

Alabama is not a playoff team

This shouldn’t even need to be said. But we’re seven games into the 2024 season. When you’ve played over half your schedule, you are what your body of work says you are. In this case, it’s a wildly inconsistent, undisciplined football team that’s shown flashes of greatness but hasn’t performed to a standard from game to game.

I’m not sure where Alabama goes from here, but it won’t be the College Football Playoff. And given Alabama’s brutal schedule this year, including the Missouri Tigers next Saturday in Tuscaloosa, I’m not sure there’s a game you can objectively circle as a win in SEC play.

Who does Nick Saban, ‘College GameDay’ crew think will win Alabama vs. Tennessee?

Who does Nick Saban predict to win on third Saturday in October and other Top 25 games?

Nick Saban believes the Alabama Crimson Tide will win its first Third Saturday in October matchup against the Tennessee Volunteers with Kalen DeBoer as coach.

Saban made his prediction for Alabama-Tennessee from the set of College GameDay, which is in Austin, Texas, this week for the top-5 SEC showdown between the Georgia Bulldogs and host Texas Longhorns.

“I’ve got to go ‘Bama,” Saban said before picking the Tide.

Fellow GameDay panelists Lee Corso and celebrity guest picker Scottie Scheffler agreed with Saban and favored Alabama to win. Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee and Kirk Herbstreit picked Tennessee.

Oct 19, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Pat McAfee, left, and Scottie Scheffler sing ‘The Eyes of Texas’ together after making their picks during ESPN’s College Game Day ahead of the Longhorns’ game against the Georgia Bulldogs. Sara Diggins/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

Earlier in the broadcast, Saban said repeatedly that Alabama had to find ways to get its defense off the field on third down. That’s something that has been a problem from the Crimson Tide in its last 10 quarters dating back to the second half against Georgia in Week 5.

“When you play one of these no-huddle, fastball teams and you don’t get off the field on third down, they’re gonna go fast and that’s what wears your defense out,” Saban said during the broadcast. “And you’re gonna have to do it with the people that you have in the game.”

Saban’s full Week 8 SEC, Top 25 picks

In other SEC action, Saban picked the South Carolina Gamecocks to beat the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman and the Arkansas Razorbacks to upset the LSU Tigers in Fayetteville.

For Georgia vs. Texas, Saban used a coin flip to predict a winner.

“I think it’s really unfair to me that two of the best assistant coaches that contributed greatly to our program and the success that we had at Alabama in Sark and Kirby, that I would have to pick one over the over,” Saban joked.

“Texas,” Saban said after the coin landed.

In Top 25 action, Saban picked the Miami Hurricanes to beat the Louisville Cardinals, Illinois and Bret Bielema to beat the Michigan Wolverines, the Nebraska Cornhuskers to hand the Indiana Hoosiers their first loss of the season, and Colorado and Coach Prime to beat the Arizona Wildcats.

Saban also picked his home state West Virginia Mountaineers to take down Kansas State in Morgantown.

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Nick Saban revealed that the Iron Bowl wasn’t the biggest rivalry for Alabama

This probably won’t sit well with the Auburn faithful.

On “College Gameday” former Alabama head coach revealed how the players felt about certain rivalries when he was in Tuscaloosa. The Iron Bowl is universally viewed as one of the four biggest rivalries in college sports along with Duke–North Carolina, The Game between Michigan and Ohio State, and the Red River Rivalry.

It was a big shocking to hear Saban state that the Third Saturday in October between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers is actually the biggest rivalry the team in Tuscaloosa cared about.

“Four our players this was the bigger rivalry than any game we played,” Saban revealed.

Saban continued, “I’m talking about rivalry games. Even bigger than Auburn to our players. It was most difficult to me to get our players up for the Auburn game. It was never difficult for the Tennessee game.”

That right there is an eye popping revelation considering that it was Auburn, and not Tennessee that had recent success against Nick Saban and the Tide. During his tenure with Alabama, Saban was 12-5 against Auburn and 16-1 against Tennessee.

This could serve as some bulletin board material for Auburn later in the season but it might not matter given how the Tigers have played this season under Hugh Freeze.

Nick Saban on College GameDay: Tennessee rivalry ‘bigger’ to Alabama players than Auburn

Nick Saban had some interesting comments on the Alabama-Tennessee rivalry on College GameDay.

Nick Saban knows a thing or two about Alabama football rivalries.

As the Crimson Tide’s head coach for 17 seasons, Saban put together winning records against Alabama’s three biggest rivals: Auburn, Tennessee, and LSU.

With Alabama facing Tennessee again Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, ABC), Saban weighed in on the annual Third Saturday in October clash from the set of ESPN’s College GameDay, in Austin, Texas, this week for the top-5 showdown between the Georgia Bulldogs and Texas Longhorns.

“This is a big rivalry and I think that a lot of people in the country don’t realize that, to the old-time Alabama folks and Tennessee folks, this rivalry is born because of Coach Bryant and Coach Neyland,” Saban said. “They were great coaches and they both have stadiums named after them, and there’s a lot of tradition.”

Saban then said something interesting about how his Alabama players approached the Tennessee game compared to other rivals.

“Third Saturday in October is like a holiday in those two states, and the cigar tradition of winning this game afterwards is a fun thing. But for our players (at Alabama), this was a bigger rivalry than any other game that we played,” Saban said to the surprise of fellow GameDay panelists.

“I’m talking about any game. Even bigger than Auburn — to our players. It was always difficult for me to get our players up for the Auburn game. It was never difficult for the Tennessee game.”

Nick Saban said Tennessee was always Alabama’s biggest rival. Sometimes he had trouble getting them up to play Auburn. That was never an issue for the Tennessee games. pic.twitter.com/qKkzBbN3Qv

— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) October 19, 2024

Saban won 16 out of 17 meetings against the Vols from 2007-2023. His lone loss in the series came two years ago in Alabama’s last visit to Neyland Stadium.

Saban added some parting advice for his former team ahead of Saturday’s edition of the Alabama-Tennessee rivalry.

“Let me say this: they better get off the field on third down,” Saban said.

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USA TODAY Sports experts offer predictions on Alabama vs Tennessee

Here’s who USA TODAY Sports experts think will win Saturday’s Top 10 game between Alabama and Tennessee.

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.

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.

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Alabama vs. Tennessee rivalry gets one of ESPN’s top broadcast crews

Here’s who will be on the call for ABC Saturday when the Alabama Crimson Tide head to Knoxville to face the Tennessee Volunteers.

A widely recognizable broadcast crew will be in Knoxville for this year’s Third Saturday in October showdown between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Tennessee Volunteers.

ESPN/ABC’s No. 2 broadcast team of Sean McDonough (play-by-play) and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy (analyst) will have the call of Alabama vs. Tennessee Saturday, the network announced earlier this week. Molly McGrath will serve as sideline reporter. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. on ABC.

It’s the first time this season that the McDonough-McElroy crew will call an Alabama game. McDonough last called an Alabama game in 2021 when the Crimson Tide defeated the Cincinnati Bearcats, 27-6, in that year’s Cotton Bowl. He also had the national radio call of Alabama’s 26-23 overtime victory over the Georgia Bulldogs in the 2018 College Football Playoff Championship for ESPN Radio.

The Crimson Tide stayed at No. 7 in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll after narrowly avoiding an upset for the second week in a row in an ugly 27-25 win over South Carolina last Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

Tennessee, ranked No. 10, needed overtime to defeat the Florida Gators, 23-17, last Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

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Report Card: Grading Alabama’s 34-20 win over Tennessee

Grading Alabama’s 34-20 win over Tennessee

In an incredible comeback effort from the Crimson Tide, Alabama defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 34-20 in the 106th edition of the “Third Saturday in October” on Saturday afternoon from inside Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.

After trailing 20-7 at the half, [autotag]Nick Saban[/autotag] led the Crimson Tide to a historic come-from-behind victory with a dominating second-half performance that saw Alabama outscore the Vols 27-0.

With the win Alabama moves to 7-1 on the season and a perfect 5-0 in SEC play heading into their bye week before another major conference matchup with the LSU Tigers.

As the Alabama faithful celebrate the rivalry win, let’s look at this week’s Alabama football report card!

Everything Nick Saban said following Alabama’s 34-20 win over Tennessee

What Nick Saban said following Alabama’s 34-20 win over Tennessee

It was the epitome of a tale of two halve in the 2023 edition of the “Third Saturday in October” as Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers 34-20.

After trailing 20-7 at halftime and looking abysmal on offense through the first 30 minutes of the contest, the Crimson Tide came alive in the second half to outscore the Vols 27-0 over the final 30 minutes in Tuscaloosa.

With the win, Alabama moves to 7-1 on the season and a perfect 5-0 in SEC play heading into their bye week before taking on the LSU Tigers in Week 10.

Below is everything Coach Nick Saban had to say following the comeback victory!

Takeaways from Alabama’s 34-20 win over Tennessee

Top takeaways from Alabama’s 34-20 win over Tennessee

With the win, Alabama moves to 7-1 on the season and a perfect 5-0 in SEC play heading into their bye week before taking on the LSU Tigers in Week 10.

Let’s look at some of the top takeaways from Alabama’s incredible comeback victory!