Peyton Manning is taking his Tennessee pride to a new stage this week - literally.
The former Vols quarterback teamed up with country singer Riley Green on a new song built around the Third Saturday in October rivalry between Tennessee and Alabama. Manning is not just showing up for a line or two, either. He is part of the full track and actually sings on it.
The song is called Alabama Vs. Tennessee, and it lands just in time for Saturday’s matchup between No.
14 Tennessee and No. 6 Alabama.
The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET at Neyland Stadium, with both teams entering at 5-1.
The lyrics lean into the back-and-forth of the rivalry while keeping the tone playful. One verse opens with, “Well, we can joke, give each other hell
I can yell “Roll Tide”
Sing Rocky Top all night
Them Vols gonna take it all this year, ch-yea
Heard them Bama boy’s looking pretty damn tough
But that orange and white’s a million bucks
Alright, alright, I say the loser buys the beer
Get your money out
-”
Later, the song turns into more of a shared toast than a showdown: “I think this world can learn a thing or two
From a couple good ol’ boys like me and you
I’m proud to pull for Knoxville
It’s ‘bout time for the Tide to take the field
We out here in the same bar now
Maybe different sides, but we’re settin’ up rounds
‘Cause man, it ain’t you going up against me
It’s just Alabama vs. Tennessee”
The track also nods to places and traditions on both sides, name-checking Music Row, Muscle Shoals, Jack Daniels in the Smokey Mountains, and the Flora-Bama. Another line circles back to the common ground between the two fan bases: “We both wear boots and drink cold beer
We both like Hank and Merle
And we both love country girls
You know it, that’s why I married one”
The song closes with one more playful twist, as Manning adds, “Well, I’m proud to pull for Tuscaloosaville,” before the chorus drives home the refrain: “It’s just Alabama vs. Tennessee”
In Other News...
Vols Grind Out Road Win As One Arkansas Moment Steals Attention
Tennessees trip to Fayetteville ended with a 24-17 win over Arkansas, a result that steadied the Volunteers after a road battle that never really let either side get comfortable. The victory pushed Tennessee to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in SEC play, while Arkansas slipped to 2-4 and 0-3 in conference action, leaving the Razorbacks searching for answers after another tough league loss.
The football itself had plenty to discuss, but one camera shot from the afternoon quickly took on a life of its own and became part of the conversation around the game. For Tennessee, the bigger takeaway is that a hard-fought road win can travel well in October, especially in a league where every possession seems to matter and where the Volunteers are still trying to sort out who they are as the season moves deeper into SEC play. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Defense Could Catch A Huge Break Against Alabama
Alabamas offensive line picture has become a little murkier heading into the Tennessee matchup after center Racin Delgatty went down with a lower-body injury in a recent game. His status for Saturday is still uncertain, and that matters for a Volunteers defense looking to keep pressure on a Crimson Tide front that may have to adjust on the fly.
If Delgatty is sidelined, Alabama would likely turn to backup Mal Waldrep in the middle, a spot Tennessee will be watching closely. Xavier Gilliam has been one of the Vols more reliable defensive players this season, and any instability up front could give him and the rest of the defense a better chance to win key snaps in the trenches. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Alabama Just Got Even Bigger In Knoxville
The buildup around Tennessees showdown with Alabama just picked up another layer, with SEC Nation set to spend Saturday morning in Knoxville before the Vols and Crimson Tide kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The pregame show will air from 9 a.m. to noon on SEC Network, giving the campus a full-day spotlight ahead of one of the seasons biggest SEC matchups.
The setting should feel as big as the stakes, with Neyland Stadium already sold out and fans expected to pour in early for a rare chance to make a long Saturday of it. Tennessee is also sweetening the game-day experience with half-price concessions for the first hour after gates open, which figures to help fuel the kind of atmosphere the Vols hope to ride once the broadcast lights move from campus to the stadium. [Read more 🡒]