Third Saturday in October – Syndication Server

Arion Carter details Tennessee’s defensive ability to frustrate Jalen Milroe

Linebacker Arion Carter details Tennessee’s defensive ability to frustrate quarterback Jalen Milroe.

Sophomore Arion Carter started at linebacker in Tennessee’s, 24-17, win versus Alabama on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

The 6-foot-1, 234-pound linebacker recorded six tackles and one quarterback pressure against Alabama. Carter met with media and discussed the Vols’ defensive ability to frustrate Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe.

“We know he is a great quarterback,” Carter said. “He quarterbacks the offense at a tremendous level. We knew they started with him and we knew we had to be able to disrupt the passer to be able to go in and get him off the field on third down.”

Milroe completed 25-of-45 passing attempts for 239 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also recorded 11 rushing yards on 14 attempts.

Alabama was 3-of-14 on third down attempts against the Vols on Saturday.

PHOTOS: Tennessee fans storm the field after beating Alabama

Kalen DeBoer recaps Alabama’s loss at Tennessee

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer recaps loss at Tennessee in Week 8.

Kalen DeBoer is in his first season as Alabama’s head coach. He suffered a loss in his first time coaching in the Third Saturday in October rivalry game against Tennessee.

The Vols defeated Alabama, 24-17, at Neyland Stadium on Saturday. DeBoer met with media following the contest and recapped the Crimson Tide’s performance.

“A tough loss,” he said. “A frustrating loss. We’ve had two now. We just can’t play team football, can’t bring it together. One side of the ball has highlighted moments, and the other side stumbles. Some missed opportunities. We try to look inward after every game. We have to continue to do the same. I know we have a locker room that’s hurting. There is a common feel in the locker room after a loss, but there is no doubt in my mind that these guys poured everything into the preparation. I’m frustrated we can’t get over the hump.”

PHOTOS: Tennessee fans storm the field after beating Alabama

Kalen DeBoer. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Josh Heupel recaps second Third Saturday in October win

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel recaps Tennessee’s win against Alabama.

Tennessee (6-1, 2-1 SEC) defeated rival Alabama (5-2, 2-2 SEC), 24-17, on Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

Fourth-year head coach Josh Heupel won his second game against the Crimson Tide as Tennessee’s head coach. He met with media after the Week 8 contest and recapped the Vols’ win.

“Third Saturday in October,” Heupel said. “That’s college football as good as it gets. Neyland effect, our fans were elite. Elite performance from them all night. I appreciate them hanging in with us on the offensive side of the ball when we were struggling. Defensively, just absolutely an elite performance, the line of scrimmage and controlling the quarterback. We did everything we had to do going into it. Did an unbelievable job on third down. Offensively, not good early but not far off. Everything has to tie together.

“We have to be able to run the football. We have to continue to improve. I love a lot of what I saw in the second half. Special teams had a solid performance at the end. There were some things early that we have to be better at. I thought it was another prize fight, and you have to be able to answer the bell. These guys answered the bell every single round. I’d go to battle with these guys any day. Just another great night on Rocky Top.”

PHOTOS: Tennessee fans storm the field after beating Alabama

Arion Carter. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Photos of Tennessee fans storming field after defeating Alabama at Neyland Stadium

PHOTOS: Tennessee fans storm the field and tear down goal posts after beating Alabama football

No. 10 Tennessee (6-1, 2-1 SEC) won a top 10 matchup at Neyland Stadium on Saturday. The Vols were victorious, 24-17, against No. 7 Alabama (5-2, 2-2 SEC).

Rankings reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll.

The Vols outscored Alabama, 24-10, during the second-half of the contest. Alabama shutout Tennessee, 7-0, during the first-half.

Tennessee fans stormed the field following the Vols’ win. Saturday’s victory marks the second straight for the Vols over Alabama at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee fans also stormed the field after defeating Alabama and former head coach Nick Saban in 2022.

PHOTOS: Tennessee football defeats Alabama in Week 8

Photos of fans storming Shields-Watkins Field at Neyland Stadium are below.

Photos of Tennessee’s win against Alabama

PHOTOS: Tennessee football defeats Alabama at Neyland Stadium on Third Saturday in October

The Third Saturday in October was contested for the 107th time between Tennessee (6-1, 2-1 SEC) and Alabama (5-2, 2-2 SEC) on Saturday.

The Vols defeated Alabama, 24-17, at Neyland Stadium in Week 8. Tennessee scored 24 second-half points after Alabama led, 7-0, at halftime.

The series dates to 1901 and Alabama now leads the all time series, 60-40-7. Josh Heupel is 2-2 against the Crimson Tide as Tennessee’s head coach since 2021. Heupel and the Vols are 2-0 against Alabama at Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava completed 14-of-27 passing attempts for 194 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Running back Dylan Sampson led the Vols with 189 rushing yards, while Bru McCoy was Tennessee’s leader for receiving yards (80).

Will Brooks and Jermod McCoy recorded one interception each for the Vols’ defense.

Below are photos of the 2024 Third Saturday in October contest at Neyland Stadium.

Nick Saban says Tennessee was biggest rival while coaching at Alabama

Nick Saban says the Tennessee and Alabama football game was a bigger rivalry than the Iron Bowl when he coached the Crimson Tide.

Nick Saban retired from coaching on Jan. 10. He served as Alabama’s head coach from 2007-23, compiling a 201-29 (117-18 SEC) record, winning six national championships and nine Southeastern Conference titles.

Saban went 16-1 against Tennessee as the Crimson Tide’s head coach. His only loss was in 2022 at Neyland Stadium.

Since his retirement, Saban has joined ESPN’s “College GameDay.” Ahead of the Tennessee-Alabama game on Saturday, Saban said his biggest rival as the Crimson Tide was the Vols.

“For our players, this was a bigger rivalry than any other game that we played,” Saban said of Alabama playing Tennessee. “I’m talking about rivalry game. Even bigger than Auburn to our players.”

PHOTOS: Tennessee-Alabama football series through the years

Tennessee, Alabama enter Week 8 back-to-back nationally for game control

Third Saturday in October: Tennessee and Alabama ranked top 10 for game control

No. 10 Tennessee (5-1, 1-1 SEC) will host No. 7 Alabama (5-1, 2-1 SEC) on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. Rankings for the Week 8 SEC contest reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll.

The Vols and Crimson Tide enter Week 8 also ranked top 10 for game control. Alabama ranks No. 8 and the Vols are No. 9 nationally for game control, according to ESPN’s College Football Power Index.

Game control reflects chances that an average top 25 team would control games from start to end the way this team did, given the schedule.

ESPN FPI’s top 10 teams for game control entering Week 8 are below.

Texas
Ole Miss
Ohio State
Indiana
Texas A&M
BYU
Clemson
Alabama
Tennessee
Oregon

READ: 2024 SEC football power rankings after Week 7

Dylan Sampson. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee-Alabama football game score predictions

Vols Wire and Roll Tide Wire provide score predictions for the Tennessee-Alabama football game.

Saturday will mark the 107th meeting between Tennessee and Alabama football. The Third Saturday in October contest is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. EDT at Neyland Stadium (ABC).

Fourth-year Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel is playing for his second win over the Crimson Tide. Tennessee and Heupel defeated Alabama, 52-49, in Nick Saban’s final game at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 15, 2022.

The Vols are also playing for consecutive wins against Alabama at Neyland Stadium for the first time since 2004 and 2006.

“This rivalry has been around a long time, before Nick Saban was a part of it or I was a part of it,” Heupel said during game week. “The magnitude of this rivalry is the historical nature and what it has meant inside of this league.”

READ: Injury availability report for Tennessee-Alabama football game

Ahead of Saturday’s top 10 SEC matchup, Vols Wire and Roll Tide Wire provide game score predictions.

Tennessee-Alabama football game score predictions

Dan Harralson (Vols Wire): Tennessee 30, Alabama 27
Matt Melton (Roll Tide Wire): Alabama 30, Tennessee 27
Average score: Tennessee 28.5, Alabama 28.5

Tennessee, Alabama football depth charts for Third Saturday in October

Third Saturday in October: Tennessee and Alabama football depth charts in Week 8

The Third Saturday in October rivalry series will be renewed on Saturday between No. 10 Tennessee (5-1, 1-1 SEC) and No. 7 Alabama (5-1, 2-1 SEC). Rankings reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Kickoff between the Vols and Crimson Tide is slated for 3:30 p.m. EDT and will be televised by ABC. Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Molly McGrath (sideline reporter) will be on the call.

Saturday’s contest will be the 107th in the series, dating to 1901. The Vols and Crimson Tide have played each other every year since 1928 with the exception of 1943 (World War II). Alabama leads the series, 60-39-7.

Tennessee and Alabama released projected depth charts in Week 8 and are below.

READ: 2024 SEC football power rankings after Week 7

Cooper Mays previews Third Saturday in October against Alabama

Tennessee senior offensive lineman Cooper Mays discusses playing against Alabama’s defensive line.

No. 10 Tennessee (5-1, 1-1 SEC) will host No. 7 Alabama (5-1, 2-1 SEC) on Saturday at Neyland Stadium. Rankings reflect the US LBM Coaches Poll.

Tennessee senior offensive lineman Cooper Mays met with media on Monday to kick off game week. He discussed the Vols hosting Alabama in a top 10 matchup.

“I think we’re all excited for it,” Mays said. “I think, maybe, I might be a little more excited because I am local, but I think we all know what the challenge means and what it means to this fanbase and this program. I think everybody is ready for it.”

READ: 2024 SEC football power rankings after Week 7

The 6-foot-4, 310-pound center also discussed what stands out about Alabama’s defense and its line.

“The first thing you look at is the God-given talent, size, athleticism, the violence they can play with,” Mays said. “Based off those things, that’s the first thing that steps out. You know what Alabama is going to be each year. You put on the film, but you know what is going to be on it.”

PHOTOS: Tennessee fans storm field at Neyland Stadium after defeating Alabama in 2022