The Southern Line
Alabama, Tennessee to Both Wear Home Jerseys in Third Saturday in October Game
No. 6 Alabama and No. 14 Tennessee will both wear home colors Saturday in Knoxville, a look reportedly unseen in the rivalry since the 1970s.
When Alabama and Tennessee meet Saturday in Knoxville, both teams will be wearing their home jerseys. The Crimson Tide will be in crimson and the Volunteers in orange, a pairing the rivalry reportedly hasn't had since the 1970s.
HEAVY reported the change, citing college football insider Pete Nakos. Nakos said the deal between the schools also covers the 2027 game, so this is not a one-off. Normally the road team wears white, but this time both sidelines will dress as if they were at home.
It's a small change, but this is a series that leans heavily on its history. Plenty of programs now chase attention with alternate uniforms and specialty helmets. In this case, two of the SEC's oldest rivals are going back to an old look. Because the arrangement already runs through next season, the schools seem to see it as something that could last.
The jerseys arrive with plenty already riding on the game. No. 6 Alabama (5-1) travels to face No. 14 Tennessee (5-1) at 3:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC. The Tide are coming off their first loss of the season, a defeat to Georgia at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Oct. 10. HEAVY noted that Kalen DeBoer's team arrives looking to respond. A second loss before the end of October would make Alabama's path through the SEC standings and the playoff picture much harder.
Tennessee is playing at home with one loss, and the game is a chance for the Vols to get a ranked win over their biggest rival. A win would move them up the league race and give them a strong result for the selection committee later in the year. A loss would leave both of these teams with two defeats and little room to slip in the second half of the schedule.
The market still sees Alabama as the stronger team despite last week's result. The Tide are favored at -317 on Novig, one of the venues pricing the game, and the best sportsbook number on Alabama is -320 at theScore Bet. Tennessee is getting 9.5 points, and the total is 51.5. That's a lot for a top-15 opponent to be getting at home in a rivalry game. Full pricing is on the Alabama at Tennessee game page.
The uniforms won't decide anything once the game starts, and neither fan base will care much about colors after kickoff. Still, crimson against orange should make for one of the most recognizable looks of the college football weekend. The schools have already agreed to do it again next year.
