How to Watch Alabama Crimson Tide at Tennessee Volunteers: TV, Time, SEC Schedule

How to see and follow Alabama football when it visits Tennessee for the 2020 edition of the Third Saturday in October rivalry

Alabama’s game at Tennessee will be the 23rd meeting, and fourth this season, between Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban and one of his former assistants.

So far, it's three down and one to go.

Overall, Saban is 23-0 against them. 

“Well, I think they have made progress,” Saban said about Tennessee on Monday. “I think you look at what a team does down in, down out, how the players play. They’re playing with a lot of effort, toughness. They’re very well-coached. They’re in the right spots. 

"But I think when you turn the ball over in this game — I don’t care if it’s us or them or whoever it is — it’s really hard to overcome.”

Like usual with his former assistants, Saban was being kind. 

The season streak started with a 52-24 win over Jimbo Fisher and No. 13 Texas A&M on Oct. 3 and was followed by a 63-48 win over Lane Kiffin at Ole Miss on Oct. 10. Last Saturday, Alabama topped Kirby Smart and No. 3 Georgia, 41-24. 

His most wins against a former assistant is four, which have come against Fisher (Florida State, 2017; Texas A&M 2018-20). 

Saban has also totaled three wins vs. Derek Dooley (Tennessee, 2010-12), Jim McElwain (Colorado State, 2013; Florida 2015-16), Smart (Georgia, 2019, 2018 CFP National Championship Game and SEC Championship) and Will Muschamp (Florida, 2011 and 2014; South Carolina, 2019). 

He has two wins over Mark Dantonio (Michigan State, 2010 and 2015), Jeremy Pruitt (Tennessee, 2018-19) and one victory over Lane Kiffin (Ole Miss, 2020) and Billy Napier (Louisiana, 2018).

When 2:39 p.m., Saturday

TV: CBS (Play-by-Play: Brad Nessler, Analyst: Gary Danielson, Sideline: Jamie Erdahl)

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-By-Play: Eli Gold, Analyst: John Parker Wilson, Sideline: Rashad Johnson) CTSN on Sirius/XML 132/192; National radio on Compass Media (Play-By-Play: Patrick Kinas, Analyst: Derek Rackley)

Online: CBSSports.com

Weather forecast: Cloudy with occasional rain showers. High 68 F. Winds light and variable, 4 mph. Chance of rain 60 percent. 

Last meeting: Alabama won 35-13. With quarterback Tua Tagovailoa knocked out of the game with a left ankle injury in the second quarter, running back Najee Harris totaled  105 rushing yards and two touchdowns, plus 48 receiving yards on four catches. Wide receiver Slade Bolden threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to tight end Miller Forristall, and cornerback Trevon Diggs recovered Jarrett Guarantano's fumble on fourth-and-goal from the 1 and raced 100 yards for a touchdown 

Series info: Alabama and Tennessee will meet for the 103rd time. The Crimson Tide leads the all-time series, 57-37-8 (56-38-7 NCAA), and won the last meeting in Knoxville, 58-21. Alabama has won the last 13 meetings between the two schools, as Saban has a perfect record at Alabama against the Vols. Overall, Saban is 15-1 in his career against Tennessee. Former Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt is in his third season as the Vols’ head coach and is 0-2 against Saban. 

Alabama's Winning Streak

Date Result Site Score

Oct. 20, 2007 W H 41-17

Oct. 25, 2008 W A 29-9

Oct. 24, 2009 W H 12-10

Oct. 23, 2010 W A 41-10

Oct. 22, 2011 W H 37-6

Oct. 20, 2012 W A 44-13

Oct. 26, 2013 W H 45-10

Oct. 25, 2014 W A 34-20

Oct. 24, 2015 W H 19-14

Oct. 15, 2016 W A 49-10

Oct. 21, 2017 W H 45-7

Oct. 20, 2018 W A 58-21

Series rankings: History shows that when Alabama and Tennessee meet on the gridiron at least one team will be residing in the current AP Top 25 or coaches poll. This year is no exception as it's the 14th straight year the Crimson Tide has faced the Volunteers ranked among the top-10 teams in the country. Prior to the 2008 game, the last time Alabama faced Tennessee when ranked as high as No. 2 in the polls came in 1993 when the two teams played to a 17-17 tie at Legion Field. At least one team has been ranked in one poll or the other every year since 1959 with the exception of 1968, 1984 and 2000. Since 1939, the highest-ranked team has compiled a 56-9-2 record in the rivalry.

Domination over SEC East: Alabama’s 41-24 victory against Georgia last week was the Crimson Tide’s 28th straight win over an SEC Eastern Division opponent, dating back to a 35-21 loss at then-No. 19 South Carolina on Oct. 9, 2010. The 28 wins include a 5-0 record in SEC Championship Games. During the current run, the Tide is 10-0 vs. Tennessee; 5-0 vs. Georgia (2-0 in SEC CG, 1-0 in CFP NCG); 4-0 vs. Florida (2-0 in SEC CG) and Missouri (1-0 in SEC CG); 2-0 vs. Kentucky and Vanderbilt; and 1-0 vs. South Carolina. Overall, under Saban the Crimson Tide is 38-3 (.927) against the SEC East, including a 6-1 (.857) record in the SEC Championship Game.

Saturday's SEC Schedule

Alabama at Tennessee, 2:30 p.m. (CT), CBS
Auburn at Ole Miss, 11 a.m., SEC Network
Kentucky at Missouri, 3 p.m. SEC Network
South Carolina at LSU, 6 p.m., ESPN
OFF: Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia