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10 Times the Tennessee vs Alabama Game Meant the Most to Both the Vols and the Tide

By Caleb Calhoun

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Sep 27, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning shown talking to fans on the sidelines during the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning shown talking to fans on the sidelines during the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

9. 1995: Tennessee 41 Alabama 14

This remains one of the greatest wins for Vols fans in Tennessee football history. But we forget about the magnitude going into this game at the time.

Tennessee had only suffered one loss to the Florida Gators and was very much in the national picture. Meanwhile, Alabama had suffered one loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks but fought their way back into the picture as well.

So entering this game, the Vols were on the road and ranked No. 6. The Tide were ranked No. 12. The loser would be knocked out of their divisional race.

Peyton Manning and Joey Kent set the tone early with a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. They never looked back, jumping out to a 21-0 lead and winning the game 41-14. This game is on here because of its huge magnitude in more ways than one.

Not only did it end the Vols’ non-winning streak in the Tennessee vs Alabama series that existed at the time. It also is the game that set them in motion for the greatest four-year run in school history from 1995 to 1998.

It also put Peyton Manning on the national map. So this game meant a huge deal in terms of program significance on top of the magnitude it had for that year alone.

They may not have won the East or the national title that year, but they did win out and finish 11-1 and ranked No. 3 in the country.

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