You smell it before you see it. It’s a thick, pungent cloud of expensive cigar smoke drifting over the stadium, sticking to the jerseys and settling into the hair of everyone from the nosebleeds to the sidelines. That scent means one thing. It means the Third Saturday in October just finished, and somebody—either the guys in Crimson or the ones in Tennessee Orange—is celebrating a win they value more than almost any other on the calendar.
People outside the South don't always get it. They look at the records from the last fifteen years and see Alabama’s dominance under Nick Saban and think, "Is this even a rivalry?"
It is. It’s a blood feud.
Alabama and Tennessee have been playing this game since 1901. Think about that. That’s before the first airplane took flight. Since then, it’s evolved into a cultural touchstone that dictates the mood of two entire states for a whole year. If you grew up in Birmingham or Knoxville, you don't just "watch" this game. You survive it.
The Tradition That Smells Like Victory (and Tobacco)
The cigar thing isn't just a gimmick. It’s actually a violation of NCAA rules, technically. But nobody cares. The tradition started back in the 1950s when Alabama athletic trainer Jim Goostree started passing them out after a win over the Volunteers. For decades, both teams kept it a "secret" because of the tobacco bans, but honestly, when you have 100,000 people watching a coach light up a stogie on national television, the secret is pretty much out.
The losing team? They have to sit there and breathe it in. It’s the ultimate disrespect.
There’s a legendary story—completely true—about Alabama players carrying cigars in their equipment bags during the lean years, just praying for the chance to use them. It represents more than just a win; it’s a release of a year’s worth of pent-up anxiety. This game usually happens right when the leaves are starting to turn in the SEC footprint. The air gets crisp. The stakes get high. It’s the mid-point of the season where dreams either solidify or fall apart.
Why the Name Is Actually Kind of a Lie
Funny thing about the Third Saturday in October. It isn't always on the third Saturday.
💡 You might also like: Why Isn't Mbappe Playing Today: The Real Madrid Crisis Explained
In the modern era of TV scheduling and SEC expansion, the date has hopped around. In 2022, for example, it was technically the third Saturday, but sometimes it lands on the fourth. The name stuck because, for the longest time, it was the structural anchor of the SEC schedule. Fans would plan weddings, funerals (okay, maybe not funerals), and family reunions around this specific weekend. If you invited a Tennessee fan to a wedding on that Saturday, don't expect a gift. They aren't coming.
The Streaks That Define the Pain
Rivalries are usually defined by balance, but this one is defined by "The Streak." Both sides have had them.
- Alabama’s 15-game run: From 2007 to 2021, Alabama absolutely owned Tennessee. It was a dark time for the Vols. You had guys playing four years of college football in Knoxville who never even smelled a cigar.
- The Peyton Manning Era: Before that, in the mid-to-late 90s, it was all Tennessee. Peyton Manning famously led the Pride of the Southland Band in "Rocky Top" after beating Bama.
- The Bear Bryant dominance: Paul "Bear" Bryant hated losing to Tennessee. He once said that the two games that mattered most were Auburn and "that team from up north."
When Tennessee finally broke the streak in 2022 with a 52-49 win, the scene was pure chaos. Fans tore down the goalposts. They threw them into the Tennessee River. That’s the level of passion we’re talking about here. It wasn't just a football game; it was an exorcism.
Saban, Neyland, and the Ghost of Greatness
You can’t talk about the Third Saturday in October without talking about the giants who stood on the sidelines. General Robert Neyland at Tennessee and Bear Bryant at Alabama. These two men built the foundations of these programs.
Neyland was a military man. He viewed football as a series of tactical maneuvers. His "Maxims of Football" are still etched in the tunnel at Neyland Stadium today. One of them is: "Press the kicking game. Here is where the breaks are made." Alabama fans, meanwhile, worship at the altar of Bryant and, more recently, Nick Saban.
The coaching matchup is always a chess match, but it’s played with 300-pound pieces. The physicality of this game is historically different from a shootout in the Big 12 or a tactical slog in the Big Ten. It’s heavy. It’s loud.
The Impact of NIL and the Transfer Portal
Let’s be real. The game has changed. In 2026, the Third Saturday in October looks a little different than it did in 1970. Players move between schools now. You might see a guy in a Tennessee jersey who was wearing Alabama gear the year before.
📖 Related: Tottenham vs FC Barcelona: Why This Matchup Still Matters in 2026
Does it ruin the rivalry?
Kinda. But mostly, it just adds fuel to the fire. When a player "flips" or transfers to the rival, the fans treat it like a betrayal of the highest order. The NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) era has turned the recruiting trail for these two schools into a high-stakes arms race. Boosters aren't just donating for new weight rooms anymore; they’re ensuring that the next star quarterback chooses Knoxville over Tuscaloosa.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Game
A lot of national media pundits like to say that the Iron Bowl (Alabama vs. Auburn) is the biggest game in the state. For Alabama fans, that’s usually true. But ask an older Bama fan who they hate more, and they might surprise you.
"Auburn is family," they’ll say. "You have to live with them. But Tennessee? That’s different."
There’s a deep-seated institutional dislike between these two universities. It’s about more than football. It’s about the hills vs. the plains. It’s about two programs that both believe they are the rightful kings of the Southeastern Conference. They both have the history, the trophies, and the massive stadiums to prove it. Only one can be right.
The "Rocky Top" Factor
If you aren't a Tennessee fan, "Rocky Top" is basically psychological warfare. They play it. A lot. They play it after first downs. They play it after touchdowns. They play it just because it’s Tuesday.
For an Alabama player, hearing those opening banjo notes 50 times in a single afternoon is enough to drive you crazy. It’s part of the home-field advantage that makes playing in Knoxville one of the hardest tasks in sports. The stadium is a literal bowl that traps sound. When it’s rocking, you can’t hear the person standing next to you.
👉 See also: Buddy Hield Sacramento Kings: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
How to Experience the Third Saturday Like a Pro
If you’re planning on going, you need to prepare. This isn't a "show up at kickoff" kind of event.
- Tailgate on the Water: If the game is in Knoxville, you have to see the Vol Navy. Hundreds of boats dock right outside the stadium on the Tennessee River. It’s the coolest pre-game scene in the country.
- The Quad in Tuscaloosa: If it’s an Alabama home game, head to the Quad. The tailgating is massive, and the "Walk of Champions" is where you see the intensity on the players' faces.
- Bring a Cigar: Even if you don't smoke. It’s the symbol of the game. If your team wins, you light it. If they lose, you hide it in your pocket and try not to cry.
- Wear the Right Shade: Don't just wear "orange." It has to be that specific, bright, almost-neon Tennessee orange. And for Bama, it’s Crimson. Not red. Crimson.
The Future of the Rivalry
With the SEC expanding to include teams like Texas and Oklahoma, there was a lot of talk about whether the Third Saturday in October would remain an annual game. Fans were livid at the suggestion it could be played every other year.
Thankfully, the conference realized that you don't mess with tradition. This game is a pillar of the SEC. It’s a guaranteed ratings monster for the networks and a religious experience for the fans.
The rivalry is currently in a fascinating spot. Alabama is navigating the post-Saban era, trying to maintain the standard of excellence that defined the last two decades. Tennessee, under Josh Heupel, has rediscovered its offensive identity and finally believes it can go toe-to-toe with the giants again.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re looking at this game from a strategic or betting perspective, keep these things in mind:
- Look at the Trenches: Historically, the team that rushes for more yards in this matchup wins about 80% of the time. It’s a game won by the offensive line.
- The "Home Dog" Factor: Tennessee at home as an underdog has been a dangerous spot for Alabama in recent years. The crowd truly acts as a 12th man.
- Injury Reports: Because this game happens in mid-October, depth is usually tested. Check the status of the secondary; both these teams love to take deep shots down the field.
The Third Saturday in October isn't just a date on a calendar. It’s a measurement of time. It’s how families track the years. "Remember the game in '22?" "Remember when Mount Cody blocked the field goal in '09?"
As long as there is dirt in Alabama and water in the Tennessee River, this game will matter. It’s loud, it’s mean, and it smells like a cheap cigar. It’s perfect.
To get the most out of the next matchup, start tracking the defensive line rotations three weeks out, as fatigue usually determines who wins the fourth quarter in this specific rivalry. If you’re traveling to the game, book your hotel in the surrounding counties at least six months in advance, as local capacity vanishes by late spring. Keep an eye on the official SEC schedule releases in early February to confirm the exact date, as "Third Saturday" remains a traditional title rather than a calendar guarantee.