3. Ole Miss Rebels
All-time series: Tennessee leads 44-20-1
Years rivalry existed:
- 1927-1938 (Vols record: 11-0-1)
- 1942-1951 (Vols record: 7-2)
- 1956-1969 (Vols record: 4-10)
- 1972-1991 (Vols record: 14-6)
These two schools first met in 1902 in Memphis. However, that was the only time they met until both joined the Southern Conference and eventually the SEC. Their next meeting was 1923. Then, one year into Robert Neyland’s tenure, they began playing annually into 1938. The Vols dominated that first round, tying in 1935 but winning every other year.
The rivalry closed the year UT became a national powerhouse, winning their first SEC and national title and making their first bowl game in 1938. It resumed in 1942 and continued into 1951, the second period of a dynasty Neyland produced with back to back national titles.
Then came a third stint, from 1956 to 1969. That was the one time Ole Miss had the upper hand, as John Vaught built a dynasty and the Vols tumbled. However, Rocky Top did win three SEC titles during this run. The most notable game, though, was 1969, when the Vols were 7-0 and ranked No. 3 only to be upset by 38-0 Archie Manning after the “Archie Who?” buttons.
Three years later, the two began a 20-year run of playing each other. Just three year after the rivalry ended for good, though, Peyton Manning added fuel to the fire by spurning the family legacy in Oxford and choosing to play for Tennessee football. So the blood runs deep here.