Life has been rough for Vols fans across the country. We haven’t had a ten win season since 2007, and even that came with four losses. The Vols also haven’t finished in the top ten since 2001, when Phillip Fulmer finished the season 11-2 and at #4 in the AP Poll. Once a respectable SEC team, Tennessee has fallen on tough times. This timeline perfectly lines up with one day every year: the Third Saturday in October
No Wins Since 2006
Yes, the Alabama vs. Tennessee game every year shows two programs on diverging paths since 2007. Why 2007 you may ask? Well, there are two reasons. One, 2006 is the last time Tennessee has beaten Alabama (there’s a Twitter account dedicated to this). Two, that’s when he rolled into Tuscaloosa.
With two close losses in the past 13 years, and plenty of blowouts, Alabama is (and I hate to say this) our daddy, and I don’t know when it will end.
October 24th, 2009: The Day the Rivalry Ended
:format(jpeg)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50011123/rockyblock.0.jpg)
After back to back years that saw Alabama win 41-17 in Tuscaloosa and 29-9 in Knoxville, the Vols needed to respond. With a young, hotshot offensive coach in Lane Kiffin coming to town, this was our chance to right the ship. In a low scoring affair where the Vols didn’t let Alabama into the end zone, this was our year.
After pulling within two in the fourth, Tennessee recovered the onside kick and had all the momentum. Once the drive stalled out at Bama’s 28, Daniel Lincoln trotted out looking to give Tennessee the win after having a kick blocked by Terrence Cody earlier in the quarter. Cody got his second block of the game, and Alabama ran out the clock, effectively killing the rivalry.
Tennessee did lose by five in 2015, but since then has lost by three scores or more every time.
Stop Calling It a Rivalry
The Third Saturday in October used to be a great rivalry. Alabama fans used to hate Tennessee like we hated them. Just listen to this man speak:
Now we’re a joke to them. A rivalry can’t be one sided, and with each passing year, more and more Alabama and Tennessee fans have never seen a Vols win against the Tide. The last Tennessee coach we saw light up a cigar was Butch Jones… while an intern on Saban’s coaching staff.
If Tennessee wants to be considered an Alabama rival again, they need to actually win a damn game.
Be sure to follow me on Twitter to watch my slow descent into madness because of the Vols, and my other weird thoughts. While you’re at it, check out some other great blogs over at Belly Up!
