College Football: 25 most underappreciated team rivalries of all time

11. Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Tennessee Volunteers

The Third Saturday in October isn’t just a date when it comes to SEC Football. No, it’s the moniker given to the annual matchup between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers.

Though they haven’t always met on that exact date, specifically in the late 1990s and 2000s (they did so from 2016 to 2018), the historic name for the rivalry has stuck, and for good reason. It’s a great matchup with some fascinating history behind it.

Perhaps the greatest aspect of the rivalry and the most notable feature in the victory cigars that each team hands out. It began with Alabama in the 1950s, though it was technically against NCAA rules regarding both tobacco and benefits.

However, the Crimson Tide and Volunteers made it public in the mid-2000s and have since reported their violations in the interest of preserving the tradition, which is a fantastic touch.

Overall, Alabama has the edge in the rivalry, as they sport a 56-37-8 record, but things haven’t been as one-sided as that makes it seem. There have undoubtedly been times when Tennessee has been the clear king of the Third Saturday in October.

While the rivalry has seen many winning streaks by both teams throughout college football history, Alabama has been the clear owner of the Third Saturday in October in recent years, currently sporting the longest winning streak in the history of the rivalry at 12 games.

As such, the rivalry has become a bit underappreciated. It still holds a place in the hearts of football fans, however.