KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Alabama-Tennessee rivalry doesn’t have the national relevance as it did in previous decades, but the series still has plenty of meaning to both teams.
Longtime fans make sure of it.
Alabama linebacker Trey DePriest says he didn’t know the history of the rivalry until he learned how much it meant to a certain segment of the Crimson Tide’s fan base. He says the game is “bigger than Alabama-Auburn” to some older fans.
But it’s been a while since each program was strong at the same time. The last time both teams were ranked when they faced off was in 2005.
The top-ranked Tide (6-0, 3-0 SEC) are three-touchdown favorites Saturday against a Tennessee (3-3, 0-3) team that has lost 10 of its last 11 conference games.
