Lots of history in this rivalry on the Third Saturday in October. Though a bit more desperate feel than it might have had a few weeks ago and before each suffered upset losses on the road. The difference, we suspect, is that Bama is better situated to make a recovery. We're not as sure about Tennessee. Though the Tide has wobbled the past two weeks, we suspect it is partly a case of coming down from the mountain that was a 28-0 early lead over Georgia on September 28. Jalen Milroe has established big-game chops, and playmakers still abound. Kalen DeBoer's concerns are more about a running game that has been inconsistent, and a defense a bit too permissive (compared to recent Bama editions). But keep in mind that Bama played a lot of close games in Nick Saban's final couple of seasons, and won almost all of them. We are far less convinced about the Vols, especially watching QB Nico Iamaleava struggle in recent weeks, with only 1 TDP the past three games as the UT schedule has toughened. The Vol offense now mostly seems to revolve around RB Dylan Sampson, already on 699 YR. But the though that the Vols are a Smoky Mountains bully this season is suggested by results that have been far less impressive the past few weeks. This UT team suddenly does not look as good as the Hendon Hooker-led Vols of 2022 (who beat Bama in the last seconds), or last year's Joe Milton-led UT. Play Alabama