Third Saturday in October

The rivalry game is the intense annual football matchup between the University of Alabama Crimson Tide and the University of Tennessee Volunteers. It is one of the oldest and most storied rivalries in the Southeastern Conference. The two programs have a deep mutual hatred that defines the matchup.

The game earned its traditional nickname because it was historically scheduled for the third Saturday of October nearly every year from 1928 to 1991. While the exact date has varied occasionally in recent SEC scheduling, the iconic name has stuck among fans. It traditionally serves as a midpoint battle in the college football season.

The two college football powerhouses first met on the gridiron in 1901, resulting in a 6-6 tie. The rivalry has been played continuously, with very few interruptions, since 1928. Alabama historically dominated the streak under coach Nick Saban, but Tennessee recently broke a long losing streak.

The game is played at a home-and-away rotation between Alabama's Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Tennessee's Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. The sheer size of both stadiums, each holding over 100,000 fans, makes it one of the highest-attended regular-season games each year. The atmosphere at both venues is notoriously hostile for visiting teams.