University of Tennessee Athletics
Saturday, October 17
Knoxville, Tenn.
3:30 p.m. ET
University of Tennessee
vs
Alabama
FB PREVIEW: #14/14 Vols & #6/7 Tide Set for Third Saturday In October Showdown at Neyland
October 16, 2026 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – A massive opportunity awaits No. 14/14 Tennessee against No. 6/7 Alabama as the two longtime rivals prepare to face off in one of college football's most exciting rivalry games on The Third Saturday In October.
Saturday's meeting between the Volunteers and Crimson Tide will mark the 109th meeting on the gridiron between the two storied SEC programs and will be played in front of another sellout crowd of 101,915 at Neyland Stadium, the 32nd in a row at the historic venue.
Customer Service at Gate 21 Opens – 11:30 a.m.
Truly's Tailgate & Stadium Extended Perimeter Opens – 11:30 a.m.
Vol Village Opens – 12 p.m.
Gates Open – 12:30 p.m.
Vol Walk – 1:20 p.m.
Pride of the Southland Band March – 1:50 p.m. (Map of Band March Route)
Pride of the Southland Band Pregame Performance Begins – 3:31 p.m.
National Anthem/Flyover – 3:34 p.m.
*Two FA-18 Super Hornets from the Navy's VFA-213 Fighting Blacklions based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia.
Vols Run Through the T – 3:42 p.m.
Kickoff – 3:45 p.m.
Earlier this summer, University of Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White announced new traffic patterns for football gamedays at Neyland Stadium, which can be found in full detail by clicking HERE.
Fans attending major events at Neyland Stadium will notice improved traffic patterns throughout this season.
Tennessee Athletics has partnered with Visit Knoxville, the City of Knoxville, Knox County, TDOT, KPD, UTPD, campus leadership and engineering consultant Kimley-Horn to develop comprehensive gameday traffic solutions for fans attending events on Rocky Top.
Fans with designated parking passes are advised to enter campus via the recommended routes provided by Kimley-Horn Engineering and Design consultants: https://utsports.com/sports/2026/7/29/2026-football-parking
Fans without parking passes are recommended to avoid the campus corridor, stay in the downtown area or use the KAT shuttle options. Some drivers will be asked to go in the opposite direction of traditional daily traffic patterns - this is essential to help expedite traffic flow after major events.
For additional recommendations on how fans should leave campus, visit https://utsports.com/sports/2019/7/29/football-gameday#parking
Fans will gain admission into Neyland Stadium via a unique QR code which will be scanned directly from a mobile device. For quick and easy entry into Tennessee Athletics venues, fans are encouraged to download the Tennessee Athletics app from the App Store (iPhone) and Google Play (Android). Your mobile device is the ticket on gameday. All valid digital tickets will display a moving barcode or a hold near reader (tap-and-go) icon. PLEASE NOTE: SCREENSHOTS OF TICKETS WILL NOT SCAN AT THE GATE AND WILL NOT ALLOW ENTRY!
Printed PDF tickets will no longer be issued or accepted for entry at any Tennessee Athletics venue. The only authorized sources for tickets to Tennessee Athletics events are the Tennessee Athletics Ticket Office, AllVols.com, the venue box office where the athletic event is taking place and Ticketmaster.
A complete step-by-step guide on how to best access and use your digital tickets and parking passes, including diagrams and FAQ is available here.
EXTENDED PERIMETER SECURITY CHECKPOINTS
The security perimeter will open at 11:30 a.m., and fans may move in and out of the secured perimeter throughout the day. Following fan feedback from the season opener, Tennessee Athletics has made several adjustments to improve entry flow, including:
For all remaining home games this season concessions will be half-price for the first hour after gates opening. Games during the noon slate also will be shown on the videoboard in the first hour of gates opening. Gates for Saturday's contest against Alabama will open at 12:30 p.m.
For more information on all updates in place at Neyland Stadium this season, click HERE.
Search "Tennessee Athletics" in the Apple or Google Play Store or use this LINK to download.
Matt Barrie, Chase Daniel, Paul Finebaum, Roman Harper, Tim Tebow and Marion Crowder headline SEC Nation. This week's edition will also feature Marty Smith and Ryan McGee.
Ayers Hall will also be home to The Paul Finebaum Show Presented by Johnsonville, with #FinebaumFriday live from 3-7 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter originates from the site from 5-5:30 p.m. Friday.
Vol Village Presented by Toyota: Vol Village presented by Toyota, serves as the ideal spot to view the Vol Walk and the Pride of Southland Band march. Admission is free to all fans with or without a game ticket. Located across from Circle Park, Vol Village features live music, food trucks and beverage stations, interactive displays and fun activities for all ages.
Vol Village will highlight a new artist or band each home game with a pregame concert series, providing Vol fans with the ultimate pregame atmosphere. This week's featured group is Run Katie Run. Vol Village opens at noon ET for Saturday's game.
Truly's Tailgate: Located outside the newly renovated Gate 9, fans are encouraged to visit the new and improved Truly's area for food, drinks and more! Truly's Tailgate has expanded with Texas Roadhouse and a number of other new food and beverage options for fans to enjoy before and during the game.
For any game starting later than noon ET, Truly's will open four hours prior to kickoff. For Saturday's game, the tailgate will open at 11:30 a.m. Truly's will stay open throughout the game, giving fans in the south concourse a variety of food, drinks and additional restroom options. Truly's will close at the end of the third quarter.
For complete gameday information, visit UTsports.com/gameday.
Sean McDonough (PxP), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Katie George (sideline reporter) will have the call for Saturday's game on ABC.
Vol Network Radio Info
UT fans can listen to Tennessee's official radio broadcast via the Vol Network (Local: WIVK-FM 107.7/WNML-FM 99.1) on 64 stations across the state of Tennessee and the southeast, SiriusXM (Ch. 178 or 229) and the SiriusXM app (Ch. 953). A live audio stream of the broadcast will also be available on UTSports.com, the Tennessee Athletics App and the Varsity App.
Voice of the Vols Mike Keith will be joined in the booth by VFL Jayson Swain (analyst) while Brent Hubbs will handle sideline duties for the Vol Network radio broadcast.
The Big Orange Countdown pregame show, hosted by Swain and Hubbs, will begin two and a half hours prior to kickoff at 1 p.m.
Tennessee's official Spanish radio broadcast is available locally on WNML-AM 990 with Carlos Lopez (play-by-play) and J.P. Vasquez (analyst) on the call. That version is also available on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics App.
Volunteer Gameday, a live, one-hour television preview show, will originate live from the newly developed Champions Corner outside of Gate 9 at Neyland Stadium beginning at 1 p.m. The show will be hosted by Keith, VFL Heath Shuler and WVLT-Knoxville's Brittany Tarwater. Volunteer Gameday will be available on Knoxville flagship TV station WVLT and across the state on the new Tennessee Valley Sports Network (TVSN).
As announced in August, both teams will don their home jerseys for Saturday's contest as part of a two-year agreement between both administrations and coaching staffs, bringing back an old tradition in the rivalry.
This will be the first time since Oct. 17, 1970, in Neyland Stadium during former head coach Bill Battle's first season that the teams will wear orange and crimson jerseys, respectively. The Vols won that contest 24-0, behind a school-record eight interceptions, including three from Tim Priest.
The 2027 meeting in Tuscaloosa will see UT wear orange jersey tops for the first time ever in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Sack Attack
Tennessee enters Saturday's game with an FBS-best 25 sacks on the year while also leading the SEC and ranking fourth in the nation with 48 tackles for loss. Defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam leads the charge with five sacks and 10 TFLs, marks that rank fourth and third in the conference. Tyree Weathersby isn't far behind with 4.5 sacks and is one of seven Vols with multiple sacks this season.
Leaning on the Ground Game
As has become a staple under head coach Josh Heupel, the Vols feature one of the country's best rushing attacks, entering this Saturday's contest ranked 15th nationally and second in the SEC with an average of 228.3 rushing yards per game.
Senior running back DeSean Bishop leads the way for the Big Orange, ranking second in the SEC with 678 rushing yards (113.0 ypg) and eight touchdowns this year. Bishop has found the end zone in nine of his last 10 games dating back to last season.
Fours Up
Tennessee shown an ability to get stronger as the game goes on and has been especially effective in the fourth quarter this season. For the year, the Vols have outscored their opponents 56-36 in the final quarter and have yet to be outscored in the fourth quarter in a game this season (tied twice).
Last week, UT outscored Arkansas, 14-3, after entering final quarter trailing 14-10 in Fayetteville. The Big Orange also outgained the Razorbacks, 191-46, in the final stanza.
Tennessee will be looking to post its third consecutive victory at home over the Crimson Tide. The Vols won an instant classic to break a long losing streak in 2022, winning a 52-49 thriller on a 40-yard field goal by Chase McGrath as time expired. UT made it two wins in a row at home in 2024 with a hard-fought 24-17 victory that featured a game-winning 16-yard touchdown catch by Chris Brazzell II in the fourth quarter.
Should the Vols pull out another victory on Saturday, it would mark the first time they have won three straight against the Tide at home since doing so during a stretch from 1996 through 2000.
Sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell is having a breakout year and is the engine that drives the Crimson Tide offense, ranking 10th in the FBS and third in the SEC by accounting for 304.0 yards of total offense per game. Russell leads the league in passing yards with 1,599 to go along with 12 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. He's also a major threat on the ground with 225 rushing yards and four scores.
Alabama will be without its leading receiver in Ryan Coleman-Williams, who was injured in last Saturday's loss to Georgia. The duo of Lotzeir Brooks (23 rec., 389 yds, 1 TD) and Rico Scott (18 rec., 224 yds, 3 TD) will be Russell's top targets through the air. UA boasts three productive running backs, as well, with Trae'shawn Brown (51 att., 301 yds, 5 TD), Daniel Hill (55 att., 262 yds, 4 TD) and EJ Crowell (31 att., 215 yds, 4 TD) having all played a part in the Tide's vastly improved rushing attack.
The linebacker duo of Luke Metz and Caleb Woodson lead the team in tackles with 43 and 42, respectively. The Crimson Tide have also racked up 17.0 sacks and 34.0 TFLs on the year, led by defensive lineman Devan Thompkins, who has a team-leading 4.5 TFLs and three sacks. Alabama features one of the nation's best secondaries and leads the SEC with nine interceptions this season. Seven different players have intercepted a pass for the Tide, led by Bray Hubbard and Red Morgan, who are tied for the team lead with two apiece.
MORE INFO
GAMEDAY & BROADCAST INFO
- Opponent: Alabama Crimson Tide
- Date/Time: Saturday, Oct. 17 | 3:30 p.m.
- Location: Knoxville, Tenn.
- Venue: Neyland Stadium, Preserved by Pilot (101,915)
- TV: ABC
- Local Radio: Vol Network (FM 107.7 in Knoxville)
- Satellite Radio: SiriusXM (Ch. 179 or 229)
- Spanish Radio: WNML (AM 990 in Knoxville)
- Live Stats: UTStats.com
#14/14 TENNESSEE (5-1 | 2-1 SEC)
Game Notes Roster Schedule Stats Record Book#6/7 ALABAMA (5-1 | 3-1 SEC)
Game Notes Roster Schedule Stats Media Guide Digital Game Program Gameday Info Tennessee Athletics App Digital Ticketing Guide Clear Bag Policy Follow @UTGameday Buy 2026 Record Book Buy Tennessee Gear Heupel Monday PresserSaturday's meeting between the Volunteers and Crimson Tide will mark the 109th meeting on the gridiron between the two storied SEC programs and will be played in front of another sellout crowd of 101,915 at Neyland Stadium, the 32nd in a row at the historic venue.
GAMEDAY TIMELINE
SEC Nation Live – 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. (Ayres Hall)Customer Service at Gate 21 Opens – 11:30 a.m.
Truly's Tailgate & Stadium Extended Perimeter Opens – 11:30 a.m.
Vol Village Opens – 12 p.m.
Gates Open – 12:30 p.m.
Vol Walk – 1:20 p.m.
Pride of the Southland Band March – 1:50 p.m. (Map of Band March Route)
Pride of the Southland Band Pregame Performance Begins – 3:31 p.m.
National Anthem/Flyover – 3:34 p.m.
*Two FA-18 Super Hornets from the Navy's VFA-213 Fighting Blacklions based at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia.
Vols Run Through the T – 3:42 p.m.
Kickoff – 3:45 p.m.
IMPORTANT GAMEDAY INFO
To find the most up-to-date information on all of Tennessee's 2026 gameday policies, please visit the Tennessee Football Gameday Information page on UTSports.com.Earlier this summer, University of Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White announced new traffic patterns for football gamedays at Neyland Stadium, which can be found in full detail by clicking HERE.
Fans attending major events at Neyland Stadium will notice improved traffic patterns throughout this season.
Tennessee Athletics has partnered with Visit Knoxville, the City of Knoxville, Knox County, TDOT, KPD, UTPD, campus leadership and engineering consultant Kimley-Horn to develop comprehensive gameday traffic solutions for fans attending events on Rocky Top.
Fans with designated parking passes are advised to enter campus via the recommended routes provided by Kimley-Horn Engineering and Design consultants: https://utsports.com/sports/2026/7/29/2026-football-parking
Fans without parking passes are recommended to avoid the campus corridor, stay in the downtown area or use the KAT shuttle options. Some drivers will be asked to go in the opposite direction of traditional daily traffic patterns - this is essential to help expedite traffic flow after major events.
For additional recommendations on how fans should leave campus, visit https://utsports.com/sports/2019/7/29/football-gameday#parking
TICKETS AND PARKING
Tickets for Saturday's game are officially sold out. Tickets and parking passes to all Tennessee Athletics events, including football, are digital and can be accessed through a mobile device to improve security and reduce the risk of ticket fraud as well as make the process more convenient for fans.Fans will gain admission into Neyland Stadium via a unique QR code which will be scanned directly from a mobile device. For quick and easy entry into Tennessee Athletics venues, fans are encouraged to download the Tennessee Athletics app from the App Store (iPhone) and Google Play (Android). Your mobile device is the ticket on gameday. All valid digital tickets will display a moving barcode or a hold near reader (tap-and-go) icon. PLEASE NOTE: SCREENSHOTS OF TICKETS WILL NOT SCAN AT THE GATE AND WILL NOT ALLOW ENTRY!
Printed PDF tickets will no longer be issued or accepted for entry at any Tennessee Athletics venue. The only authorized sources for tickets to Tennessee Athletics events are the Tennessee Athletics Ticket Office, AllVols.com, the venue box office where the athletic event is taking place and Ticketmaster.
A complete step-by-step guide on how to best access and use your digital tickets and parking passes, including diagrams and FAQ is available here.
EXTENDED PERIMETER SECURITY CHECKPOINTS
The security perimeter will open at 11:30 a.m., and fans may move in and out of the secured perimeter throughout the day. Following fan feedback from the season opener, Tennessee Athletics has made several adjustments to improve entry flow, including:
- Increasing the number of walk-through metal detectors around Neyland Stadium from 35 to 65
- Adding new screening locations near G5/30 and the south side of Lot 9
- Opening two additional entry points
- Nearly doubling the number of metal detectors at Gate 21
For all remaining home games this season concessions will be half-price for the first hour after gates opening. Games during the noon slate also will be shown on the videoboard in the first hour of gates opening. Gates for Saturday's contest against Alabama will open at 12:30 p.m.
NEW SOUND SYSTEM HIGHLIGHTS NEYLAND STADIUM FAN ENHANCEMENTS FOR 2026
A new, state-of-the-art sound system highlights the gameday enhancements that fans will experience this fall as they enjoy Tennessee football in Neyland Stadium. Also new this season is an extended Southeast Concourse 3, Champions Corner located outside of Gate 9, yellow line down and distance technology on the video boards as well as multiple concessions enhancements and new locations.For more information on all updates in place at Neyland Stadium this season, click HERE.
TENNESSEE ATHLETICS APP
Fans are encouraged to download the Tennessee Athletics App, which contains all the latest information on UT athletics. It also houses the GBO Zone, allowing fans to play trivia, take part in stadium light shows and much more.Search "Tennessee Athletics" in the Apple or Google Play Store or use this LINK to download.
GAMEDAY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
SEC Nation: The SEC Network's weekly pregame show will originate from the lawn of Ayres Hall for Saturday's top 15 matchup between the Vols and Crimson Tide. The show airs from 9 a.m. to noon on the SEC Network.Matt Barrie, Chase Daniel, Paul Finebaum, Roman Harper, Tim Tebow and Marion Crowder headline SEC Nation. This week's edition will also feature Marty Smith and Ryan McGee.
Ayers Hall will also be home to The Paul Finebaum Show Presented by Johnsonville, with #FinebaumFriday live from 3-7 p.m. ESPN SportsCenter originates from the site from 5-5:30 p.m. Friday.
Vol Village Presented by Toyota: Vol Village presented by Toyota, serves as the ideal spot to view the Vol Walk and the Pride of Southland Band march. Admission is free to all fans with or without a game ticket. Located across from Circle Park, Vol Village features live music, food trucks and beverage stations, interactive displays and fun activities for all ages.
Vol Village will highlight a new artist or band each home game with a pregame concert series, providing Vol fans with the ultimate pregame atmosphere. This week's featured group is Run Katie Run. Vol Village opens at noon ET for Saturday's game.
Truly's Tailgate: Located outside the newly renovated Gate 9, fans are encouraged to visit the new and improved Truly's area for food, drinks and more! Truly's Tailgate has expanded with Texas Roadhouse and a number of other new food and beverage options for fans to enjoy before and during the game.
For any game starting later than noon ET, Truly's will open four hours prior to kickoff. For Saturday's game, the tailgate will open at 11:30 a.m. Truly's will stay open throughout the game, giving fans in the south concourse a variety of food, drinks and additional restroom options. Truly's will close at the end of the third quarter.
For complete gameday information, visit UTsports.com/gameday.
BROADCAST INFO
TV/Streaming InfoSean McDonough (PxP), Greg McElroy (analyst) and Katie George (sideline reporter) will have the call for Saturday's game on ABC.
Vol Network Radio Info
UT fans can listen to Tennessee's official radio broadcast via the Vol Network (Local: WIVK-FM 107.7/WNML-FM 99.1) on 64 stations across the state of Tennessee and the southeast, SiriusXM (Ch. 178 or 229) and the SiriusXM app (Ch. 953). A live audio stream of the broadcast will also be available on UTSports.com, the Tennessee Athletics App and the Varsity App.
Voice of the Vols Mike Keith will be joined in the booth by VFL Jayson Swain (analyst) while Brent Hubbs will handle sideline duties for the Vol Network radio broadcast.
The Big Orange Countdown pregame show, hosted by Swain and Hubbs, will begin two and a half hours prior to kickoff at 1 p.m.
Tennessee's official Spanish radio broadcast is available locally on WNML-AM 990 with Carlos Lopez (play-by-play) and J.P. Vasquez (analyst) on the call. That version is also available on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics App.
Volunteer Gameday, a live, one-hour television preview show, will originate live from the newly developed Champions Corner outside of Gate 9 at Neyland Stadium beginning at 1 p.m. The show will be hosted by Keith, VFL Heath Shuler and WVLT-Knoxville's Brittany Tarwater. Volunteer Gameday will be available on Knoxville flagship TV station WVLT and across the state on the new Tennessee Valley Sports Network (TVSN).
NEED TO KNOW
The Third Saturday in Full ColorAs announced in August, both teams will don their home jerseys for Saturday's contest as part of a two-year agreement between both administrations and coaching staffs, bringing back an old tradition in the rivalry.
This will be the first time since Oct. 17, 1970, in Neyland Stadium during former head coach Bill Battle's first season that the teams will wear orange and crimson jerseys, respectively. The Vols won that contest 24-0, behind a school-record eight interceptions, including three from Tim Priest.
The 2027 meeting in Tuscaloosa will see UT wear orange jersey tops for the first time ever in Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Sack Attack
Tennessee enters Saturday's game with an FBS-best 25 sacks on the year while also leading the SEC and ranking fourth in the nation with 48 tackles for loss. Defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam leads the charge with five sacks and 10 TFLs, marks that rank fourth and third in the conference. Tyree Weathersby isn't far behind with 4.5 sacks and is one of seven Vols with multiple sacks this season.
Leaning on the Ground Game
As has become a staple under head coach Josh Heupel, the Vols feature one of the country's best rushing attacks, entering this Saturday's contest ranked 15th nationally and second in the SEC with an average of 228.3 rushing yards per game.
Senior running back DeSean Bishop leads the way for the Big Orange, ranking second in the SEC with 678 rushing yards (113.0 ypg) and eight touchdowns this year. Bishop has found the end zone in nine of his last 10 games dating back to last season.
Fours Up
Tennessee shown an ability to get stronger as the game goes on and has been especially effective in the fourth quarter this season. For the year, the Vols have outscored their opponents 56-36 in the final quarter and have yet to be outscored in the fourth quarter in a game this season (tied twice).
Last week, UT outscored Arkansas, 14-3, after entering final quarter trailing 14-10 in Fayetteville. The Big Orange also outgained the Razorbacks, 191-46, in the final stanza.
SERIES HISTORY
Alabama leads series, 61-40-7Tennessee will be looking to post its third consecutive victory at home over the Crimson Tide. The Vols won an instant classic to break a long losing streak in 2022, winning a 52-49 thriller on a 40-yard field goal by Chase McGrath as time expired. UT made it two wins in a row at home in 2024 with a hard-fought 24-17 victory that featured a game-winning 16-yard touchdown catch by Chris Brazzell II in the fourth quarter.
Should the Vols pull out another victory on Saturday, it would mark the first time they have won three straight against the Tide at home since doing so during a stretch from 1996 through 2000.
ABOUT ALABAMA
Head coach Kalen DeBoer is in his third season leading the Crimson Tide, having posted a 25-9 record during that span with a College Football Playoff appearance last season. Alabama enters Saturday's contest ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll after a 5-1 start, including a 3-1 record in conference play following a narrow 20-17 defeat to No. 2 Georgia last weekend.Sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell is having a breakout year and is the engine that drives the Crimson Tide offense, ranking 10th in the FBS and third in the SEC by accounting for 304.0 yards of total offense per game. Russell leads the league in passing yards with 1,599 to go along with 12 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. He's also a major threat on the ground with 225 rushing yards and four scores.
Alabama will be without its leading receiver in Ryan Coleman-Williams, who was injured in last Saturday's loss to Georgia. The duo of Lotzeir Brooks (23 rec., 389 yds, 1 TD) and Rico Scott (18 rec., 224 yds, 3 TD) will be Russell's top targets through the air. UA boasts three productive running backs, as well, with Trae'shawn Brown (51 att., 301 yds, 5 TD), Daniel Hill (55 att., 262 yds, 4 TD) and EJ Crowell (31 att., 215 yds, 4 TD) having all played a part in the Tide's vastly improved rushing attack.
The linebacker duo of Luke Metz and Caleb Woodson lead the team in tackles with 43 and 42, respectively. The Crimson Tide have also racked up 17.0 sacks and 34.0 TFLs on the year, led by defensive lineman Devan Thompkins, who has a team-leading 4.5 TFLs and three sacks. Alabama features one of the nation's best secondaries and leads the SEC with nine interceptions this season. Seven different players have intercepted a pass for the Tide, led by Bray Hubbard and Red Morgan, who are tied for the team lead with two apiece.
.jpg&height=340&type=webp)
Players Mentioned
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DL
/ Football
DL
/ FootballTuesday, October 13
Tuesday, October 13
Tuesday, October 13
Tuesday, October 13
