At least one generation of Alabama Football fans doesn’t think of the Tide vs. the Vols as much of a rivalry. That is understandable considering how long it has been (on Saturday, 5,481 days) since the Vols beat the Crimson Tide.
Much of the storied history between the two programs is known by ‘seasoned’ fans. There are some less known and even little known facts. The overall record of 103 games favors the Alabama Crimson Tide with 58 wins to 37 for the Vols. The series has had eight ties. It has been the ‘streakiest’ series between the Tide and another team having runs of success.
Following WWII, through the 1970 season, the Vols dominated winning 14 games to the Tide’s seven wins. Even in that period of Tennessee strength, the Tide won five of six games in 1961-1966 with no losses and one tie.
What followed was a Crimson Tide tear of 11 wins from 1971 through 1981, as Paul Bryant relished wins over the team he most wanted to beat every season. Bryant’s respect for UT went back to his grudging admiration for Tennessee’s greatest coach, General Robert Neyland. Many Tide fans know Bryant played against the Vols once with a fractured leg, but fewer know Bryant never had a coaching victory over Neyland.
The Vols won four straight in 1982-1985, followed by another Tide streak of nine wins in 1986-1994. From 1995 through Mike Shula’s last season in 2006, the record was two Alabama Football wins and 10 wins for Tennessee.
Nick Saban flipped the story immediately in 2007. The Vols may never recover. Many Vols-hating, Alabama football fans think even 10,000 days without a Tennessee win would not be long enough.
Why the hatred? The story is too long to re-tell in this post. For those wanting to know more, it is here.
Alabama Football vs. Tennessee ‘Less-Knowns’
- Johnny Cain went into the Alabama Football Record Book in 1932 when he punted 19 times against the Vols. After losing to Tennessee 25-0 in 1931, Tide coach Frank Thomas wanted to try winning with his defense. Cain averaged 48.1 yards and Thomas’ strategy almost worked with the Tide losing 7-3.
- Tennessee All-American QB and Huntsville, AL super-athlete, Conredge Hollaway talked to Bryant about playing for the Tide. Bryant wanted Conredge to play defensive back and told the young man, the time had not come for Alabama to have a black quarterback. Instead, Bill Battle made Hollaway a Vols’ starting QB. Years later, Holloway talked about his respect for Bryant and how much he appreciated his honesty.
- Duke Head Coach, David Cutcliffe is an Alabama alum. He did not play college football but worked in the Crimson Tide athletic department while in school, soaking up football knowledge. His successful coaching career includes being the OC and QB coach for Peyton Manning at UT.
Have the Vols turned the corner with Josh Heupel? Danny White wanted offense and Heupel has provided it. Scoring history for the Vols during the Saban era has been bleak. In the 14 wins, Alabama Football has outscored the Vols, 537 points to 177, giving the Vols an average score of 12.6 points.
Many of the stats in this post were compiled by the excellent source mcubed.net.