Alabama Football: Three landmark games for Kalen DeBoer in 2024

Week Eight: Alabama @ Tennessee

Neyland Stadium | Knoxville, Tennessee | October 19, 2024

Alabama-Tennessee is one of the best and most underrated rivalries in college football, and both fan bases will be fully riled up for this one. Bama won 16 of the 17 matchups in the series under Coach Saban, so there is some pressure on Coach DeBoer to continue that ownership of the Vols. 

Tennessee, however, does have a glimmer of hope.

Under Coach Josh Heupel, the program is clearly as healthy as it has been since the early 2000s. Additionally, Heupel delivered a win over the Crimson Tide in 2022. It was the program’s first win over Alabama since 2006, and seemed to inject life into the Tennessee fan base.

Coincidentally, it was also the Tide’s most last trip to Knoxville. Neyland Stadium will be absolutely rocking in Coach DeBoer’s first game against the Vols, and it won’t be easy to come away with the win.

As much goodwill as Coach DeBoer could build with the Alabama fan base with a win over Georgia, he could lose most of it by allowing Tennessee to make it two in a row in Neyland.