Tennessee, Alabama to Revive Jersey Tradition in 109th Meeting of Rivalry

No. 14 Volunteers host No. 6 Crimson Tide Saturday at Neyland Stadium in a sold-out showdown

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Smokies.LIVE Game Day Center) — The University of Tennessee and Alabama will renew one of college football’s most storied rivalries Saturday with a return to a tradition that dates back more than five decades.

The No. 14 Volunteers (5-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) will host the No. 6 Crimson Tide (5-1, 3-1 SEC) at 3:30 p.m. at Neyland Stadium for the 109th meeting between the programs. The game will air on ABC.

Both teams will wear their traditional home jerseys under a two-year agreement between the programs’ administrations and coaching staffs. Tennessee will wear orange jerseys, while Alabama will wear crimson.

The matchup marks the first time since Oct. 17, 1970, that both teams will wear their home jerseys at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won that game 24-0, recording a school-record eight interceptions, including three by Tim Priest.

The annual rivalry has been known as the Third Saturday in October since 1939. Saturday’s game marks the 24th time the programs have met while both were ranked in the top 20 and the fourth time in five years that both teams enter the matchup ranked in the top 15.

Tennessee has started 5-1 or better at the midway point of the season for the fifth consecutive year. The Vols also have won two straight games against Alabama in Knoxville, although the Crimson Tide defeated Tennessee 37-20 in Tuscaloosa last season.

Neyland Stadium, which has a capacity of 101,915, is sold out for the 32nd consecutive game. The sellout streak dates to 2022.

The jersey tradition will continue next year when Tennessee visits Alabama. The 2027 meeting in Tuscaloosa will mark the first time the Volunteers have worn orange jerseys at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern time. Fans can listen to the Vol Network broadcast, including on FM 107.7 in Knoxville, or tune in to SiriusXM channels 179 or 229. Spanish-language coverage is available on WNML AM 990 in Knoxville.