Vols, Tide Rock Retro for Historic Rivalry

Tennessee and Alabama are bringing back a cherished tradition for the Third Saturday in October rivalry. This season, both the No. 14 Vols and No. 7 Crimson Tide will wear their traditional home uniforms, a visual tribute to the early decades of their historic matchup. This decision, made with SEC approval, revives a practice that ceased after 1971, when a rule mandated road teams wear white.

The tradition of both teams wearing their home colors was a vibrant part of the rivalry until 1971. The 2026 game marks the 109th meeting between the two programs, with a brief hiatus in 1943 due to World War II. The 1951 game was notably the first televised sporting event in SEC history, and the 1967 game was featured on Sports Illustrated.

Tennessee athletic director Danny White expressed excitement about restoring this iconic tradition, while Alabama AD Greg Byrne highlighted the collaborative effort involved. The revival requires cooperation between both schools and the conference. The 2027 game will be particularly historic, as it will be the first time Tennessee wears orange jerseys in Bryant-Denny Stadium, given Alabama's long-time use of Legion Field for home games against the Vols.