Alabama found itself in a heavyweight battle against Georgia last week in Tuscaloosa, a matchup some consider a potential burgeoning rivalry between two of the SEC's powerhouse programs.
The Crimson Tide now turns its attention to a much more established rivalry in Week 7, as Kalen DeBoer, Keelon Russell and company travel to Rocky Top to face Josh Heupel and Tennessee.
HAYES: It's Kalen DeBoer's show at Alabama. Georgia loss showed good and bad | Opinion
The rivalry between Alabama and Tennessee dates back to 1901 and is famously known as the "Third Saturday in October," a fitting name given the game’s long-standing tradition of being played annually on that date.
On Saturday, Oct. 17, a tradition between Alabama and Tennessee that had been on hiatus for several decades will once again show itself on the field: The Crimson Tide will wear its crimson jerseys, despite playing in Knoxville's Neyland Stadium, while the Vols wear their traditional orange uniforms.
The following season, when Heupel and Co. visit Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium, both teams will wear orange and crimson, respectively, with no road whites in sight.
Here's what to know of Alabama and Tennessee's revived uniform matchup:
Why is Alabama wearing home jerseys at Tennessee?
The programs, in conjunction with the SEC, announced in August an agreement to bring back a long-standing rivalry tradition in which both teams wear their home jerseys for the next two editions of the Third Saturday in October, regardless of whose stadium will host the game.
This means for Saturday's game in Knoxville, Alabama will don its crimson jersey tops. Next year, Tennessee will rock its orange jersey at Saban Field.
"This series is built on decades of tradition, and we're excited to bring back a piece of its history beginning this season," Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne said in a statement. "This required collaboration from both schools and the Southeastern Conference, and I'm thankful to President Mohler, Tennessee's administration, including AD Danny White, and the league office for their support and willingness to work together.
"We believe this will make an already special rivalry even more enjoyable for our teams and our fans."
Saturday's game in Knoxville will be the first time Alabama will wear its crimson jersey on Rocky Top since 1970..
"The Third Saturday in October stands alone in college football, and we are excited to restore one of its most iconic traditions as both teams wear their home jerseys," Tennessee athletic director Danny White said in a statement. "I'm grateful to Alabama AD Greg Byrne and his staff for their shared commitment to bringing this experience back to the fans of one of the sport's greatest rivalries."
Color-vs-color college football rivalries
Notable examples of color-vs.-color rivalries in college football include USC vs. UCLA in a battle for the Victory Bell and Utah vs. BYU in the Holy War. Both teams feature red uniforms vs. blue.
Another SEC rivalry, Georgia vs. Florida, routinely featured games in which the Bulldogs and Gators wore home jerseys (made easier by the fact the game, traditionally, is held in Jacksonville, Florida). The tradition was discontinued after 1968, but briefly revived from 2014-16 before the Bulldogs opted to wear their road whites for the 2017 game.
It's uncertain whether Alabama and Tennessee will continue the tradition beyond the 2027 college football season.
Alabama vs Tennessee rivalry record, history
- Series record: Alabama leads 60-40-7*
- Tennessee's last win: 2024 (24-17)
- Alabama's last win: 2025 (37-20)
* Alabama lists its official record as 60-40-7
According to Tennessee's record book, the Vols are 40-61-7 in their previous 108 matchups against Alabama, with the Vols' last win coming two years ago in Knoxville when they upset the Crimson Tide.
However, Alabama notes its official record vs. Tennessee at 60-40-7, as the Crimson Tide's 2005 win over the Vols was one of 21 wins vacated by the NCAA between the 2005 and 2007 seasons under former Alabama coaches Mike Shula and Saban. Alabama also forfeited all its regular-season wins from the 1993 season, including a 17-17 tie with Tennessee.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why is Alabama wearing home jersey at Tennessee? Teams reviving rivalry tradition