5 Greatest Alabama vs. Tennessee College Football Games of All Time

For less than the second time in 25 years, the Alabama/Tennessee sport will likely be a matchup between two top-10 groups. The Crimson Tide and Volunteers first met in 1901 and have performed 104 instances. Whereas the timing of the sport moved round a bit because the SEC has expanded, the rivalry is called the “Third Saturday in October” as a result of that’s when it’s historically performed.

Given the size of this rivalry, one’s opinion of this collection’ best video games could boil all the way down to once they have been born. These are this author’s high 5.

5. Alabama 11, Tennessee 10

Oct. 15, 1966 – Knoxville, Tenn.

Tennessee took a 10-0 first-quarter lead on the unbeaten Tide and held all of it the best way to the fourth interval. Then Alabama quarterback Ken Stabler scored on a one-yard landing run after which hit Wayne Cook dinner with a go ultimately zone for the two-point conversion. Steve Davis then kicked a 17-yard area aim to place the Tide up by some extent with 3:23 remaining. The Volunteers drove to the Alabama three-yard line, however Austin Wright’s angled 20-yard area aim try missed by inches with 16 seconds left.

4. Tennessee 51, Alabama 43 (5OT)

Oct. 25, 2003 – Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Alabama entered its contest with No. 22 Tennessee at 3-5 record-wise, however led 20-13 within the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. Vol quarterback Casey Clausen hit Troy Fleming with a one-yard landing go to tie the sport with 25 seconds remaining. The 2 groups matched one another score-for-score by 4 overtimes. Within the fifth, Clausen bumped into the top zone on a one-yard landing run after which hit James Banks for the two-point conversion to take a 51-43 lead. The Vols compelled a fourth down on the Tide’s ensuing possession and Jason Allen tipped away Brodie Croyle’s go ultimately zone for the win.

3. Alabama 17, Tennessee 17

Oct. 16, 1993 – Birmingham, Ala.

Operating again Charlie Garner ran 73 yards for a landing within the fourth quarter to place the Vols up 17-9 and it appeared like Tennessee’s seven-game shedding streak to the Tide would come to an finish. Then Alabama quarterback Jay Barker led his workforce on an 83-yard drive that culminated with him working into the top zone on a sneak with 21 seconds left to chop the result in 17-15. For the two-point conversion, broad receiver David Palmer lined up behind middle and outran the Tennessee protection round the correct to tie the sport. Tennessee selected to expire the clock, giving each colleges their final tie in every of their applications’ histories. Nevertheless, the tie did finish Alabama’s 28-game win streak.

2. Tennessee 35, Alabama 28

Oct. 16, 1982 – Knoxville, Tenn.

The second-ranked Tide had simply whipped eventual nationwide champion Penn State the week earlier than and had an 11-game win streak on the Vols, who have been 2-2-1. Tennessee trailed 21-13 at halftime, however scored 22 straight factors to take a 35-21 fourth-quarter lead. Alabama lower the lead with a 14-yard landing run by Linnie Patrick with 5:04 left after which drove into Vol territory late within the sport. Quarterback Walter Lewis took the snap from the Tennessee 17-yard line and threw a go to Lee Jenkins ultimately zone that was intercepted by Mike Terry for the win. After the sport, Tennessee followers rushed onto the sphere to tear down the goalposts, whereas head coach Johnny Majors was carried to the center of the sphere to shake arms with Bear Bryant in what could be his final sport in opposition to the Vols.

1. Alabama 12, Tennessee 10

Oct. 24, 2009 – Tuscaloosa, Ala.

The highest-ranked Tide entered the sport as 14-point favorites, however their solely scores got here on 4 Leigh Tiffin area targets. Main 12-3 within the fourth quarter, Alabama working again Mark Ingram II fumbled, giving Tennessee the ball on the Tide’s 43-yard line. Vol quarterback Jonathan Crompton hit Gerald Jones with an 11-yard landing go to chop the result in 12-10 with lower than two minutes to play. Tennessee recovered the onside kick and drove all the way down to Alabama’s 27-yard line the place Daniel Lincoln tried a 45-yard area aim. Defensive sort out Terrence Cody broke by and blocked it, preserving the win and the Tide’s path to an eventual nationwide championship.

— Written by Aaron Tallent, who’s a part of the Athlon Contributor Community. Tallent is a author whose articles have appeared in The Candy Science, FOX Sports activities’ Outkick the Protection, Liberty Island and The Washington Submit. Comply with him on Twitter at @AaronTallent.