In its 2025 ranking, The Athletic named the Tennessee-Alabama rivalry the No. 11 best in all of college football. It is Tennessee's highest-profile rival, the ranking shows. (It's not Alabama's, however. That's reserved for the Iron Bowl, the annual in-state SEC rivalry game vs. Auburn.)

Both teams are 5-1, but Alabama is unbeaten in conference play (3-0 SEC), while Tennessee has a loss to Georgia (2-1). Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is a Tennessee native, growing up in Martin, and attended a lot of Vols games growing up.

Alabama has won five straight after a rocky start, but David Pollack says injuries and pass protection issues could hold them back as they face Tennessee in Week 8. Alabama has rebounded from an early loss with five straight wins.

Harris calls Simpson's talent level "phenomenal." Simpson is considered one of the top-rated quarterback prospects if he opts to enter the draft next year. Although Alabama and Tennessee are only five spots apart in the rankings, the Crimson Tide are huge favorites at 12.5 points.

The Alabama Crimson Tide is one of the hottest tickets in all of college football. Between Ty Simpson leading the program into a huge matchup against Tennessee and Ryan Grubb boasting about the challenge Alabama gives him,

There are quite a few Alabama Crimson Tide fans -- mostly younger fans -- who love to suggest that the rivalry with the Tennessee Vols isn't really a rivalry. That take is the result of Alabama dominating the series from 2007 to 2022.

Though it felt like Alabama dominated the first half, the Crimson Tide entered halftime with a narrow 17-10 lead. Missouri quickly eliminated that advantage in the third quarter when it turned a strip-sack of Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson into a five-yard rushing touchdown from Pribula to tie the game.

A look at the University of Cincinnati's opponent in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Cotton Bowl, the Alabama Crimson Tide.