Tennessee football vs. Alabama on CBS just a preview of how big game could be

Buckle up. Next week’s matchup between Tennessee football and the Alabama Crimson Tide may be one of the highest-magnitude games in the history of the series, one that hasn’t happened since the SEC split into two divisions in 1992.

The Vols’ annual matchup with Bama will air at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS, announced Monday by the SEC. That being the SEC game of the week is just a taste of how big it could be, and CBS is obviously just getting out ahead of it.

Both Tennessee football and Alabama are in the top 10, at No. 8 and No. 1 respectively in both polls. Also, both teams are favored this week, as Alabama hosts the Texas A&M Aggies while the Vols visit the LSU Tigers. Finally, they’re both undefeated.

As a result, if they do what they’re expected to do this weekend, which could be difficult with Alabama facing a team that beat them last year and the Vols going to Death Valley, the hype behind this game the next week will be huge. It’s really hard to overstate that.

Should both teams win, it’ll be the first time since 2016 that both face off in the top 10. However, that year, the Vols were coming off a loss the week before. Only three times in history have these two faced off with both undefeated and in the top 10: 1989, 1973 and 1946.

Also, if they both win, it’s likely to be the highest combined ranking between the two teams facing off in history. That record was initially set in 2016, when Alabama was ranked No. 1 and Tennessee football was ranked No. 9. Adding to all of this, Alabama has to travel to Rocky Top.

Simply put, CBS carrying the game is setting the stage for what could be a showdown with insane hype. Of course, maybe the Vols don’t want that, as it’ll result in Alabama refocusing for the matchup and turning in a blowout, as they did back in 2016.

However, College GameDay would likely come to town then, and Josh Heupel would be coaching with nothing to lose. It may end up a loss, but if the Vols can just put on a good showing, that’ll be a huge deal for recruits down the road.

CBS carrying this game was a given, to be fair. Even if both teams lose this weekend, it’ll be the highest combined ranking game next week. Technically the Auburn Tigers could get there when they face the Ole Miss Rebels next week, but Auburn would have to upset the Georgia Bulldogs.

Historically, Tennessee football and Alabama have always had a bad habit of being great at different times, and over the last 50 years, those times of greatness have been significantly skewed towards Alabama. Josh Heupel may be changing that.

The Vols might not be there yet, but two weeks after a bye and with Bryce Young maybe banged up, they could have enough to put up a fight. Most importantly for them and Alabama, though, is getting past this week first.