3 storylines for Alabama vs. Tennessee in Top 25 road showdown

3 storylines for Alabama vs. Tennessee in Top 25 road showdown

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3 storylines for Alabama vs. Tennessee in Top 25 road showdown

Similar to last week against Georgia, this Saturday afternoon's matchup between Alabama and Tennessee is loaded with potential storylines.

To start, this is the latest chapter in one of the SEC's greatest long-standing rivalries known as "The Third Saturday in October." Alabama and Tennessee have a lengthy history which dates back to the early 1900's, with the Crimson Tide owning a 61-39-8 all-time advantage in the series.

During the Nick Saban era, the rivalry was essentially owned by Alabama, aside from a 2022 victory for Tennessee in Knoxville. Since Kalen DeBoer arrived in Tuscaloosa, Alabama owns a 1-1 record against Tennessee where they fell in Knoxville back in 2024, but avenged that loss a year ago at home.

The latest chapter of the rivalry will once again feature a pair of ranked teams, both of which have impressed up to this point in the season. Both the Crimson Tide and Volunteers sit at 5-1 overall (2-1 SEC).

Let's take a look at three storylines to know entering Saturday's latest matchup between the Crimson Tide and Vols in Knoxville.

Can Alabama reverse recent trends in Neyland?

Oct 19, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) reacts after a play against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

The Crimson Tide have simply not played well during their last two trips to Knoxville, losing a pair of one-possession games in 2022 and 2024 by final scores of 52-49 and 24-17, respectively. In those close losses, Alabama struggled significantly with penalties committing a combined 32 between the two games, as well as in run defense where the Volunteers had 396 yards on the ground with an average of nearly five yards per carry. The Crimson Tide also had a rough showing in 2024 on third-and-fourth down, going 4-of-16.

Will Alabama defense bounce back against Tennessee run game?

Oct 3, 2026; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Caleb Woodson (7) and defensive lineman Fatutoa Henry (14) react after a tackle for loss during the fourth quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

Speaking of Alabama's run defense, this was an area where the Crimson Tide struggled a week ago against Georgia, and will certainly be tested Saturday afternoon in Knoxville. Alabama gave up 206 yards, as well as an average of 5.3 yards per carry, on the ground a week ago to Georgia, and will now face a Tennessee ground game that ranks No. 2 in the SEC with an average of 228.3 yards a contest.

Will Kalen DeBoer continue success coming off a loss?

Oct 10, 2026; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer reacts after a play against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second quarter at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images

As the head coach at Alabama, Kalen DeBoer currently owns a 7-1 record coming off a loss, with the lone defeat the 2025 season-opener at Florida State which followed a 2024 bowl game loss to Michigan. When revisiting those wins since 2024, only one of those seven victories was decided in a one-possession game (South Carolina in 2024).

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: 3 storylines for Alabama vs. Tennessee in Top 25 road showdown

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