The “Third Saturday in October” is here again, and this year’s installment between Alabama and Tennessee is absolutely loaded. We’re talking about a rivalry dating back to the early 1900s, where Alabama holds a commanding 61-39-8 all-time advantage. But don’t let that fool you, because after years of Nick Saban basically owning this game (outside of that wild 2022 Tennessee win in Knoxville), things have gotten real interesting under Kalen DeBoer, with the Crimson Tide and Vols sitting even at 1-1 against each other in his tenure. Both teams roll into this Saturday at 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the SEC. This isn’t just another game; it’s a pivotal moment for both ranked squads, and there are some serious questions Alabama has to answer.
Neyland Stadium Has Been a House of Horrors for the Tide
Let’s just be real for a second: Alabama has *not* played well on their last two trips to Knoxville. Forget the all-time record, because recently, Neyland Stadium has been a nightmare. We’re talking two one-possession losses: a crazy 52-49 shootout in 2022 and then a tough 24-17 defeat in 2024. What went wrong in those games? You want the painful truth? Penalties, man. A combined 32 penalties in just two games. That’s absolutely crushing in tight matchups. And it wasn’t just the flags; the run defense was gashed, giving up 396 yards on the ground at nearly five yards per carry to the Volunteers. Plus, in 2024, they couldn’t convert on third or fourth down to save their lives, going a brutal 4-of-16. If Alabama wants to reverse this trend, they’ve got to clean up their act big time.
Can the Run Defense Actually Show Up This Week?
Speaking of run defense, this is where things get really dicey for Alabama. Last week against Georgia, the Crimson Tide gave up a whopping 206 yards on the ground, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. That’s not just a little shaky, that’s a full-blown red flag when you’re facing a Tennessee ground game that ranks No. 2 in the SEC, churning out an insane 228.3 yards per contest. This isn’t a theory; it’s a proven weakness that the Vols are absolutely going to try to exploit. The defense has to find a way to plug those holes, period. If they don’t, this game could easily turn into another run-heavy beatdown like we’ve seen before.
DeBoer’s Bounce-Back Record Faces Its Toughest Test Yet
One thing Kalen DeBoer has shown in Tuscaloosa is an ability to rally the troops after a loss. He’s got a 7-1 record coming off a defeat, with the only stumble being that 2025 season-opener against Florida State after a tough 2024 bowl game loss to Michigan. What’s even crazier? Only one of those seven wins was a one-possession game, the South Carolina matchup in 2024. So, he knows how to win convincingly when his team’s back is against the wall. But this isn’t just any bounce-back game; it’s against a ranked rival on the road where Alabama has struggled mightily. Can DeBoer keep that impressive record going when the stakes are this high?
This isn’t just another rivalry game. This is a clash of two top teams, both fighting for every inch in the SEC, and trust me, you won’t want to miss a second of it. This one has “classic” written all over it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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