Tennessee and Alabama are bringing back a classic look for the Third Saturday in October.
The SEC rivals announced Wednesday that they’ll wear home uniforms against each other in their next two meetings, with Tennessee hosting Alabama at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville in 2026 and the Tide returning the favor at Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2027. That means orange versus crimson is back for the first time since 1970.
According to Tennessee’s release, the two-year agreement was reached “in conjunction with both administrations and head coaches along with the Southeastern Conference.”
For Tennessee athletic director Danny White, the move restores something bigger than just a uniform matchup.
“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,” White said. “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 last orange-versus-crimson showdown came in 1970 at Neyland Stadium, when first-year Tennessee coach Bill Battle’s team shut out Alabama 24-0. The Vols forced a program-record eight interceptions that day, including three from Tim Priest. Battle later went 59-22-2 in seven seasons from 1970 to 1976, and he eventually became Alabama’s athletic director after also serving as a three-year starting end there.
The home-uniform setup will also create a first for Tennessee in 2027, when the Vols wear their modern orange uniforms in Tuscaloosa for the first time. Tennessee last wore orange at Alabama in 1969, when the teams still met at Legion Field in Birmingham.
That day ended with a 41-14 Tennessee win over a ranked Alabama team, with the Vols coming in at No. 7 and the Tide at No. 20.
“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,” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said.
Greg Byrne said Alabama was on board because the move needed both schools and the league office working together.
“This series is built on decades of tradition, and we’re excited to bring back a piece of its history beginning this season,” Byrne said in a release. “This required collaboration from both schools and the Southeastern Conference, and I’m thankful to President (Peter J.)
Mohler, Tennessee’s administration, including AD Danny White, and the league office for their support and willingness to work together. We believe this will make an already special rivalry even more enjoyable for our teams and our fans.”
The history here runs deep. Tennessee and Alabama have played every year since 1928, with World War II the only interruption, as the teams did not meet in 1943 because there was no season. The 2026 game in Knoxville is already sold out and will be the 109th meeting between the programs.
The rivalry picked up its famous name after Tennessee’s 21-0 win in 1939, and the 1951 game became the first televised sporting event in SEC history.
Even the series record is a point of disagreement. Tennessee says Alabama leads 61-40-7, while Alabama lists the Tide ahead 61-39-8.
On the field, Alabama owned the matchup for a long stretch, winning 15 straight under Nick Saban from 2007 through 2021. Tennessee finally broke through with a memorable win in 2022, then beat Alabama again in Knoxville in 2024. Alabama answered both of those losses with wins in Tuscaloosa, where Tennessee’s last victory came in a five-overtime thriller in 2003.
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