What Is Tennessee's History In Tuscaloosa?
On October 21st, the Tennessee Volunteers will travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide. It will be the 106th time the two teams meet in the historic rivalry known as the Third Saturday in October.
Last season, Tennessee ended a 15-game win streak the Tide had over the Vols with an incredible 52-49 win in Knoxville. It was regarded by many as being the best college football game all of last season. Now, the attention turns to Tuscaloosa as the Volunteers look to win back-to-back games against Alabama for the first time since 2003 and 2004. The year 2003 was also the last time the Tennessee Vols won in Tuscaloosa. It was a thrilling game that went into five overtime periods, and the Volunteers won 51-43. Since that game, the Crimson Tide has won nine straight games in Bryant-Denny Stadium. Tennessee will look to end that streak in 2023.
Tennessee LB Solon Page III during the Vols win over Alabama in Knoxville, Tennessee, on October 15, 2022. (Photo by Randy Sartin of USA Today Sports)
In the long history of the Third Saturday in October, the Vols are 4-10 in Tuscaloosa against the Tide. This does not consider the games played in Birmingham, which happened from the first meeting in 1901 until 1997. The first game in Tuscaloosa was played in 1999. Overall, the Vols have a 39-59-7 record against Alabama. The majority of those wins have come at home in Neyland Stadium. But back-to-back wins against the Tide and a win in Tuscaloosa would do the Vols some good going forward.
A shift in the rivalry may come with a win for the Volunteers on the road. The Crimson Tide has been dominant not only in Tuscaloosa but also in the rivalry's history as well as Alabama. Head coach Nick Saban has been historically great against Tennessee, too, with a 15-1 record. This is a good chance for Vols head coach Josh Heupel to begin to create his mark on the Third Saturday in October.
You Might Also Like:
- The Road To Playoff Contention Starts In Gainesville For Tennessee
- Four Vols Earn Preseason All-SEC Honors
- Impact Analysis: What Does Edwin Spillman Bring To Rocky Top?
Join the community:
Follow Evan Crowell on Twitter: @EvanVCrowell
You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook @VolunteerCountry & follow us on Twitter at @VCountryFN.
