Tennessee vs. Alabama: 10 Memorable Vols Wins in the Series

Sep 12, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view during the first quarter at Neyland Stadium during the game between the Oklahoma Sooners and the University of Tennessee. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

10. 2006: Tennessee Wins 16-13

It is the last win for the Vols in the series, and it is also one of the ugliest. But who cares, right? A win is a win.

Tennessee was riding high on momentum at the time with a 5-1 record, their only loss a one-point loss to the Florida Gators, and they were back in the Top 10 after the sickening 5-6 season the previous year. Coming off of an open date, they were set to host the 5-2 Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium.

Alabama was in rebuilding mode that year, Mike Shula’s fourth year, but very much alive in the SEC West with a 2-2 conference record. Still, this was supposed to be a big Tennessee victory. It did not become that.

The Vols were not able to generate any running game on the ground, and a series of mistakes, including a missed field goal by James Wilhoit and three interceptions by Erik Ainge, kept the Tide in front all game.

But, in a mentality that is too often the opposite nowadays in Knoxville, the Vols never felt like they were not going to win the game. And down 13-9 late in the fourth quarter, Ainge engineered a 70-yard drive that was capped off by an Arian Foster touchdown run with a little over three minutes to go. Two stops by the defense gave the Vols a 16-13 win.

Alabama beat FIU the next week but collapsed after that, losing to Mississippi State, LSU, and Auburn to close out the year before losing their bowl game to finish 6-7. Tennessee finished 9-4.

It was awesome news at the time for the Vols, as they had closed the record to 44-38 at the time. But of course, it didn’t last, as Alabama has won every game since.

Next: #9: Tennessee Wins 21-7 in 1999