Countdown to Kickoff: Alabama, Tennessee try to stave off another loss on Third Saturday in October

The Iron Bowl. The Game. Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.

Many of college football's greatest rivalry games are known by their nicknames, but one of the sport's most storied matchups is known simply by the day it's played. The Third Saturday in October is here once again. In 2022, the tides shifted in Tennessee's direction as Chase McGrath made a game-ending, 40-yard field goal to beat Bama for the first time since 2006.

Last year, Alabama rolled on to a 34-20 victory at home after Jihaad Campbell swooped in like Superman for an electric scoop-and-score. This weekend, the seventh-ranked Crimson Tide and No. 11 Vols are playing for separation, both trying to stave off another loss and keep their playoff chances alive.

With 5-1 records, both teams are part of a four-way tie in the expanded SEC. One team's playoff chances could soon be a step closer to going up in smoke; we'll see on Saturday which side is holding the cigars..