Tennessee vs. Alabama bringing old-school feel after 2022 shootout

Tons of tradition surrounds the Alabama–Tennessee rivalry, a game dating back to a 1901 matchup that took place in Birmingham. Saturday’s game in Tuscaloosa will be the 104th edition of the Third Saturday in October. One of the great rivalries in all of college football, somebody is going to be enjoying a nice cigar in the locker room following the game.

Last year’s edition saw Tennessee kick a game-winning field goal in an offensive shootout. Both teams saw their starting quarterbacks leave in the offseason, now depending on the services of Jalen Milroe and Joe Milton. Add in their rushing attacks performing well and great defense being played, an old-school feel could be coming back to the rivalry.

“Last year, it was about who had the ball last,” Brent Hubbs of On3’s VolQuest said via Tuesday’s episode of Andy Staples On3. “That was the whole point of that game. This game has a little bit of an old-school for the older fan base that really appreciates the Third Saturday in October.”

The final score from Neyland Stadium last season — 52-49 for a total of 101 points. It’s the most points scored in an Alabama-Tennessee game ever, with 2003’s 5OT thrilled being the only one to come close (51-43 in favor of the Vols).

Neither team has put up those kind of numbers this season thus far. Tennessee heads into the game at No. 36 in scoring offense, while Alabama is well behind at No. 58. However, both are in the top 25 when it comes to scoring defense.

Both Nick Saban and Josh Heupel are far more likely going to situationally trust their defenses more on Saturday. Conservative decisions could be coming from the sidelines at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

“Kicking the ball on 4th and 1 at midfield might be the right decision,” Hubbs said. “Whereas a year ago, 4th and 3 at midfield, you were going for it. It’s going to be a very different type of game for coaches to manage on Saturday.”

While we might not get a 5-0 Tennessee win from 1904 or Alabama coming out on top 9-2 in 1941, you could bet on the high-scoring finishes to stay away this season. A game most likely decided in the trenches — on both sides of the ball — will bring back some of the old feeling surrounding the Third Saturday in October.

Each fan base will just be praying they wind up on the winning side.