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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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Jan 3, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; General view of Legion Field prior to the Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; General view of Legion Field prior to the Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

4. 1989: Alabama 47 Tennessee 30

This was one of the rare times in the modern era when both teams entered this game undefeated. They were also both surprising teams to that point.

Alabama had started the year ranked No. 16 under Bill Curry but moved up to No. 10 with a 5-0 start. This would be their first real test. The Vols, meanwhile, began the year unranked after a 5-6 1988 campaign. But a 5-0 start with two quality wins over UCLA and Auburn moved them all the way up to No. 6.

So this was a huge Tennessee vs Alabama game that could determine a national champion and certainly an SEC Champion.

Well, Tennessee was in the midst of a jinxed losing streak to the Tide, and a defense that was dominant all year could not stop the Tide. They gave up 47 points and got dominated all day, losing 47-30 in the process.

Because of the magnitude going in, this game could be No. 1. However, the Vols were saved by an Alabama loss to Auburn late in the year that resulted in a three-way tie for the SEC Championship. And none of the teams won the national title as a result.

So the one thing the loss did was ruin what should have been a national championship season with Tennessee’s talent. But they were fortunate enough for it not to ruin an SEC Championship season.

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