The last time Alabama traveled to Knoxville for the “Third Saturday in October” is a day that all Alabama fans want to forget while all Tennessee fans will remember forever.
Then-No. 6 Tennessee beat then-No. 3 Alabama 52-49, ending the Vols’ 15-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide.
The loss was the first of two for Alabama during the 2022 season, which prevented the team from making the SEC championship and having an opportunity to make the College Football Playoff.
The expansion of the College Football Playoff to 12 teams gives power conference teams like Alabama and Tennessee the opportunity to still make the postseason despite multiple losses.
However, No. 7 Alabama and No. 11 Tennessee are already on thin ice. Almost two weeks ago, then-No. 1 Alabama suffered an upset loss to Vanderbilt, and then-No. 4 Tennessee fell just a few hours later against Arkansas.
With both teams already at one loss heading into this week’s game, the magnitude of this year’s rivalry game cannot be overstated.
A win for either team provides a huge boost to the resume, and a loss could jeopardize the losing team’s playoff chances.
Winning on Saturday would also help Alabama keep pace with teams at the top of the conference, adding to an already solid resume that includes a win against then-No. 2 Georgia.
Losing on Saturday would mean Alabama would almost certainly have to win out to make the playoff as a two-loss team. Unfortunately, the schedule does not get any easier. Alabama still has two top-20 opponents, Missouri and LSU, the latter of which it plays in Baton Rouge.
A win on Saturday would give the Volunteers their signature win of the season and the team’s second win against a team ranked in the top 15. Tennessee previously beat then-No. 15 Oklahoma in Norman on Sept. 21.
During Monday’s press conference, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer expressed excitement ahead of his first time coaching in this heated rivalry.
“We’re really looking forward to it. It’s exciting,” Debor said. “This game is obviously a big deal for fans and a big deal to us, and we understand that’s the case for them as well.”
This year, Alabama will hope to bolster its case for a spot in the expanded playoff format and get its 17th win against Tennessee in the last 18 matchups.
The 107th edition of the “Third Saturday In October” kicks off at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.
