Third Saturday in October

The Third Saturday in October is the name of a college football game played each year between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide. The name refers to its traditional calendar date, but it is no longer exact. From 1995 to 2007, it has only been scheduled for that date five times. The game will not be played on the traditional date in 2008.

History

Like most notable rivalries, it has a history characterized by wildly improbable upsets, high-stakes games, and intense passion. The rivalry dates back to the 1901. The state schools of the border states have faced off many times with the winner often going on to win the SEC.

Victory cigars

In the 1950's, Bear Bryant started the tradition of passing out victory cigars after a victory over Tennessee. Both teams continued the tradition with a win for awhile, keeping it under wraps due to the NCAA rules concerning extra benefits and tobacco products. The practice has been continued by the fans of both schools. However, the teams have stopped the tradition (at least publicly). Alabama broke out the cigars after their win in 2005, and as a result, self reported an NCAA violation.cite news | title='The Third Saturday in October' | publisher=OnlineAthens.com | date=21 October 2006 | accessdate=2008-01-23 | author=AP | http://onlineathens.com/stories/102106/football_20061021016.shtml] When asked about the tradition before the 2006 game Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer stated "Cigars? Next question."cite news | title='The Third Saturday in October' | publisher=OnlineAthens.com | date=21 October 2006 | accessdate=2008-01-23 | author=AP | http://onlineathens.com/stories/102106/football_20061021016.shtml]

treaks

There have been several long winning streaks in the series. Alabama had an 11 game winning streak from 1971 to 1981. It was broken in 1982 when Johnny Majors led the Vols to an upset victory over Bear Bryant and the Tide.

Alabama had a 9 game unbeaten streak from 1986 to 1994, including a tie in 1993 which was later counted as a win for Tennessee due to NCAA violations by Alabama. The streak was broken by Tennessee in 1995 when the Vols beat the Tide 41-14. Tennessee began their own 7 game win streak that night, which was broken when Alabama defeated the Vols 34-14 in 2002.

Results

"Alabama victories are shaded ██ light green. Tennessee victories shaded in ██ orange."

_{* - Game forfeited to Tennessee as a result of NCAA ruling on Antonio Langham.}

All time

Alabama leads the all-time series 45-38-7 (with the 1993 game counted as a win for Tennessee). Alabama won the last game, played on October 20, 2007, 41-17. The game has been played in 3 different cities. Alabama leads the series when played in Birmingham, Alabama (21-14-6). The series is tied in Knoxville, Tennessee (20-20-1) and Tuscaloosa, Alabama (4-4-0).

References