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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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Apr 11, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; A general view of Legion field prior to the Sons of UAB alumni flag football game at Legion Field. While other schools around the country are planning spring scrimmages for their current teams and fans, former UAB players are making sure the Blazers get at least one more game at Legion Field. Coach Bill Clark started the alumni game last spring after his hiring and it
Apr 11, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; A general view of Legion field prior to the Sons of UAB alumni flag football game at Legion Field. While other schools around the country are planning spring scrimmages for their current teams and fans, former UAB players are making sure the Blazers get at least one more game at Legion Field. Coach Bill Clark started the alumni game last spring after his hiring and it /

8. 1985: Tennessee 16 Alabama 14

Tennessee and Alabama had both come off a loss the week before, the Vols to the Florida Gators and the Tide to the Penn State Nittany Lions. As a result, neither team was in the Top 10. However, they were both still in the Top 20.

Meanwhile, with the Vols at 2-1-1 playing one of the nation’s most difficult schedules and the Tide at 4-1 while the Gators were on probation, this game would determine who is in the driver’s seat to win the SEC Championship.

If the Vols won, they would be in clear control after having already beaten the Auburn Tigers.

Unfortunately, this looked like it would be a disastrous game for the Vols. Tony Robinson went down with a season-ending injury early in the game, and that would make things a heck of a lot tougher against a defensive juggernaut like Alabama.

However, entering midway through the year as a senior, Darryl Dickey began to make a legendary name for himself. He started by not making many mistakes in this game while allowing the defense to dominate.

Alabama missed a field goal as time expired to win the game, and the Vols were in firm control of the SEC in a season that would signal their return to prominence. It was also their fourth straight win in the Tennessee vs Alabama series at the time.

Of course, they finished off the season 9-1-2 with a Sugar Bowl victory over the Miami Hurricanes in one of the most beloved seasons in school history.

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