What makes a rivalry? Competitiveness, closeness, and opportunity for sure. However, narratives are what drives the nature of rivalries more so than how often two teams play each other. When it comes to a juggernaut program like Alabama, there are plenty of opponents who get up to play the Crimson Tide. Why would they not? Of course, getting up for a game and winning it are two separate entities.
So what we are going to do today is look at what are the three best rivalries Alabama has going right now, two more that they need to play with greater regularity, and one that probably needs to go to the wayside over its blandness. This is a fluid construct, as rivalries ebb and flow within the context of every season. In time, maybe we will see even more changes to the nature of rivalries for Alabama?
Let's start with their three biggest rivals first, before working our way down to the rest in this exercise.
Auburn plays Alabama annually in the Iron Bowl in the SEC's best rivalry
There is no other rivalry like it. Others outside the SEC footprint may beg to differ, but the amount of hatred and vitriol that exists between Alabama and Auburn fans during the Iron Bowl is otherworldly. These are programs from the same conference, inside the same state who actively hate each other. Entering the 2026 college football season, Alabama owns the all-time lead over Auburn at 52-37-1.
ALSO READ: Alabama football's 10 most memorable wins over Auburn in the Iron Bowl
While Alabama has played three programs more often than Auburn, none of those rivalries truly capture the magnitude of what the Iron Bowl is all about. Although most rivalries may claim that anything and everything can happen inside of them, it is never more the case than with the Iron Bowl. Auburn has had plenty of huge wins in this rivalry, but Alabama maintains the firmer grip on this one.
The only way this rivalry will ever be depreciated is if Auburn is cannot keep the Iron Bowl interesting.
Tennessee disdain is what makes the Third Saturday in October so iconic
Divisions may no longer be a thing, but the Third Saturday in October between Alabama and Tennessee is what kept them alive for such a long time. It is a top-tier secondary rivalry in the sport. Alabama loathes Auburn more, but it certainly despises Tennessee. To be quite frank, this is arguably the best rival Tennessee has, although it does have other ones with Florida, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt.
The Third Saturday in October is a rivalry defined by long winning streaks on both sides, being played during a certain time of the season (hence the name), and of course, the victory cigars. Alabama has dominated the rivalry of late, leading Tennessee 60-40-7 all time. However, the Volunteers have been a pain in Alabama's side over the last few seasons, especially when they play this game in Knoxville.
As is the case with the Iron Bowl, the Third Saturday in October has to be played annually at all costs.
LSU has really come into the fray of late as one of Alabama's biggest rivals
It may come as a shock to some, but Alabama and LSU were not the biggest of rivals until the 21st century. While they have played each other 90 times, with Alabama holding the all-time mark at 58-27-5, this was not a protected rivalry on the nine-game SEC schedule. The Nick Saban of it all has helped make this rivalry be such a cool game occurring usually right after Halloween every season.
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In short, this is clearly the third best rivalry Alabama has behind the Iron Bowl with Auburn and the Third Saturday in October with Tennessee. This one does not have a name, but that does not mean it has not captivated us time and time again whenever these two SEC teams do meet. Because this is neither's primary rivalry, as LSU hates Ole Miss even more, it is hard to have it any higher on this list.
Regardless, this is a rivalry that should not go away anytime soon, and it needs to be played at night...
Georgia shares a border with Alabama, as well as being an SEC behemoth
Just because Alabama shares a border with Georgia does not mean that these two SEC powers are quintessential rivals. Georgia's biggest three historically are Auburn, Florida, and Georgia Tech. All are teams the Bulldogs play annually. However, Alabama and Georgia almost always play instant classics whenever toe meets leather, no matter the venue. Alabama holds the all-time series lead at 45-27-4.
Alabama may have the upper hand in this rivalry, but the games are far more competitive than some of the other rivalry series the Crimson Tide play in. Alabama's .618 all-time winning percentage over Georgia is less than the marks it owns over Mississippi State (.818), LSU (.672), and Vanderbilt (.741). Fans love to watch this game be played. Atlanta, Athens, Indianapolis, Tuscaloosa, it does not matter.
The only real downside to play this emerging rivalry series more is Georgia is starting to play better.
Georgia Tech does not play Alabama anymore, so that needs to change
Even though they do not play anymore, Alabama has faced the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets over 50 times in their football history. Alabama holds a 28-21-3 record over the Ramblin' Wreck, with most of the games dating back to before Georgia Tech left the SEC in the mid-1960s. In the decades since, Alabama has beaten Georgia Tech four times in six tries. The last time they played was back in 1984.
It may take a ton of effort to get this game on the schedule again, but it is one that college football fans should be hoping for. Alabama may be the better program right now, but Georgia Tech is really ascending under Brent Key. He used to be on Nick Saban's staff from 2016 to 2018 as the offensive line coach. Key now leads his alma mater. They are in their best spot since probably the early 2000s.
The fact this game has not being played in Atlanta in a kickoff game yet is insulting to our intelligence.
Mississippi State has become an annual Alabama win in the 90-Mile Drive
No team has played Alabama more on the football field than the Mississippi State Bulldogs. While the 90-Mile Drive is a cool nickname for the annual college football game, it is the epitome of a one-sided rivalry. Alabama owns the all-time mark at 86-18-3. Although Mississippi State has had its moments on the football field, it has been almost two decades since the Bulldogs last beat the Crimson Tide.
Alabama has won 16 games in a row dating back to 2008. The last time Mississippi State won, it was during Nick Saban's first year on the job. Dan Mullen nor Mike Leach were ever able to beat the Tide during their time in Starkville. This may be a protected annual rivalry of sorts for the SEC, but it is more about Mississippi State needing another regular opponent of note beyond that of only Ole Miss.
If Alabama fans want to know why the LSU game is not protected, it is because of the 90-Mile Dive.
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