Tennessee vs. Alabama rivalry is going old school on the field

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The Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide are turning back the clock in 2026-27. Or at least they are with the way they’ll look when they meet this upcoming season and next.

Tennessee announced today that both teams will wear their home uniforms for their next two matchups.

It will be the first time since 1970 that Tennessee has worn the orange tops in the rivalry. The Vols throttled Alabama 24-0 in Bill Battle’s first season as head coach, who replaced Doug Dickey.

When Tennessee wears them in Tuscaloosa in 2027, it’ll be the first time that Tennessee’s worn them there ever. The programs played in Birmingham every year from 1932-1997. Tennessee played the Tide in Tuscaloosa in 1999 for the first time since 1930, which the Vols won 21-7, and the game has been at home for Alabama there ever since.

“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 AD Danny White said in the university release. “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.”

“The Third Saturday in October is special to our fans, players and VFLs, and bringing this tradition back adds another meaningful element to such a historic college football rivalry,” Josh Heupel added.

It’ll be pretty cool to see, as it’s a nice nod to the deep tradition that is engrained in this rivalry for many decades. But Tennessee and Alabama fans likely won’t care too much about what their players are wearing as long as they get to enjoy victory cigars after the contest.

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