The return of the double-home jersey tradition for Alabama and Tennessee’s 2026 and 2027 matchups is officially a GO, and honestly, it’s about time we saw this rivalry level up again.
Finally, The Jerseys Are Back Where They Belong
For real, this iconic college football rivalry, known for its “third Saturday in October” slugfests, is doing something special. We’re talking about a tradition that kicked off way back in 1928, seeing both the Crimson Tide and the Volunteers rockin’ their home threads. It was straight-up legendary until the SEC dropped that rule in 1971, forcing visitors into white jerseys and putting a pause on that epic visual. Now, as they head into their 109th year of battling it out, these two are bringing it back. You love to see it, especially since UCLA and USC are literally the only other rivalry doing this. It makes the Alabama/Tennessee game stand out even more, like it should. Last season, the Crimson Tide took a 37-20 home win in a game that was all Bama.
New QBs, Old Rivalry: What’s Brewing for October 17th?
Now, let’s talk about what’s coming to Neyland Stadium on Saturday, October 17th. This ain’t just about cool jerseys; it’s a legitimate preseason top 25 showdown with both teams bringing in new faces at quarterback.
No. 13 Alabama, under head coach Kalen DeBoer, is gunning for another CFP appearance after their first-ever trip last season. They’ve gotta replace star QB Ty Simpson, but all signs point to Keelon Russell taking the reins. This sophomore from Duncanville, Texas, was a beast, the No. 2 ranked quarterback in the 2025 class according to 247Sports. Plus, they’ve got powerhouse wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams and running back Daniel Hill back, so the offense should still be cookin’. You know they’re hungry.
Over on the other sideline, No. 20 Tennessee’s head coach Josh Heupel has a legit quarterback battle brewing. We’re talking five-star freshman Faizon Brandon going head-to-head with redshirt freshman George MacIntyre. That’s pure drama, right? After an 8-5 season (4-4 in SEC) last year, the Vols are looking for a solid 2026 campaign, and bringing back running back DeSean Bishop and wide receiver Braylon Staley sure helps. Both teams are locked and loaded for a wild one.
So mark your calendars, because when Alabama and Tennessee hit Neyland Stadium on Saturday, October 17th, it’s not just a game. It’s an iconic rivalry getting its swagger back, with new blood at quarterback and old traditions shining bright. You don’t want to miss this one. It’s gonna be electric!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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