From Nude Dancing to Secret Spies: The Third Saturday in October Approaches

The third Saturday in October. With the leaves beginning to fall and the temperatures cooling down, most people feel a sense of happiness. Thinking of the approaching holiday season, with Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas approaching, everyone should be in good spirits. On Saturday, October 18th, in Tuscaloosa, AL, there will be nothing but hatred in the air.

While most rivalries begin due to location, this rivalry began differently. The first meeting between the teams took place in 1901 on Thanksgiving Day. The game was tied 6-6 when Alabama was called for an offside penalty. The fans were livid and stormed the field in protest over the call. The police intervened, but they reached a stalemate. With so many fans on the field and darkness taking over, officials were forced to call the game, resulting in a tie.

In 1928, the teams began meeting on the third Saturday in October. In 1939, the game received the name “The Third Saturday in October.” Over the years there have been times where the game has not taken place on that day, but the name never changed.

History runs deep on the Third Saturday in October.

Introducing the official logo for one of college football's most iconic rivalries. See you Saturday!#RollTide | @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/LYqWIpGwF9

— Alabama Athletics (@UA_Athletics) October 12, 2025

In 1961, during the Bear Bryant era at Alabama, the Crimson Tide defeated Tennessee 34-3. Prior to the game starting, Jim Goostree made a bet with the Alabama players. Goostree was an athletic trainer for Alabama and previously was a trainer for Tennessee. He understood the rivalry well. He told the Alabama players, “Defeat Tennessee and I will dance around the locker room naked.” Well, his message was heard loud and clear. Goostree honored his bet, and while dancing around after the game, he began handing out cigars to the players, thus creating the victory cigar tradition.

The victory cigar tradition took place each year after 1961, but at one point the NCAA banned smoking cigars. In 2005 Alabama found a way around that and simply self-reported the violation and the tradition continued.

So many historic moments have taken place throughout this rivalry. Bear Bryant sent spies to Tennessee’s spring practice, which paid off, considering he did end up with an 11-game winning streak during his tenure. In Bryant’s final season as head coach, the streak was ended with a 35-28 victory by Tennessee, which led to the Volunteer players carrying head coach Johnny Majors off the field.

Another huge moment in the rivalry took place in 2009 when Terrance “Mount” Cody blocked Daniel Lincoln’s field goal as time expired, creating the “Rocky Block” moment.

The Nick Saban Era is one that Tennessee fans like to forget. Saban went 16-1, including a 15-game winning streak. The lone loss came in 2022 in what can be described as one of the most electric atmospheres in the history of Neyland Stadium. Tennessee went on to win the game 52-49 on a last-second field goal.

After the game, Tennessee fans stormed the field, where some “drama” took place. Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton was caught on film striking a female fan. Burton was not suspended but instead attended counseling to resolve the matter.

In the first season of the Kalen DeBoer era, Alabama lost to Tennessee in Knoxville, 24-17. Tennessee went on to make its first College Football Playoff appearance.

Both teams have strengths and weaknesses, but on paper, this match-up has the potential to be unforgettable. Alabama is currently an 8.5-point favorite. The tension will be high in Tuscaloosa during another legendary “Third Saturday in October.”