Tennessee Vs Alabama, Third Saturday in October Rivalry: Top 10 Plays Since '90

On Saturday Tennessee and Alabama will meet for the 93rd time since the two teams began playing one another in 1901. 

Over the years, the game has evolved into one of the more hate-filled rivalries in the country. Sure, it cannot compare to Alabama-Auburn or Ohio State-Michigan, but Tennessee-Alabama is a special rivalry that stands on its own as one of the top rivalries in the SEC.

The third Saturday in October rivalry, as the annual tilt became known, is usually a game not for the faint of heart. There have been many instances over the years when a top ranked Tennessee was knocked off by Alabama, or an undefeated Alabama barely escaped an unranked Vols team. The blowouts have been few and far between.

Saturday's game looks to be one of those blowouts. But as you will see in the next few slides, whether it was a blowout or a barn-burner, there's usually at least one play in each game of this series that turns the game in one team's favor. 

Here are the top plays in the series since 1990. 

2002: Tennessee Lateral Goes For Alabama Touchdown

The Crimson Tide came into this game ranked No. 19. Tennessee was a preseason favorite but had lost two of its first six games and was ranked No. 16. 

Tennessee, however, owned Alabama at this point in the streaky series history. The Vols were riding a seven-year winning streak over the Tide.

It didn't take long to figure out that the streak was coming to an end on this October Saturday night in 2002. Just four minutes into the game, a backwards lateral skipped off Derrick Tinlsey's hand and was scooped up by Alabama's Gerald Dixon and taken 65 yards for a touchdown. 

Tennessee had the rest of the half to make it up, but the Vols would never get closer than those seven points. Alabama ended the Vols win streak with a 34-14 blowout at Neyland Stadium. 

1996: Vols RB, Jay Graham Goes 80 Yards For The Gamewinning Touchdown

In a game that was much too close for comfort, seventh-ranked Alabama led 13-0 midway through the third quarter. Tennessee could not move the ball at all on the ground against the tenacious front four of Alabama.

Peyton Manning went to the air on a play-action play to Joey Kent, surprising the Tide. Tennessee was still down 13-6 at that point.

That's when RB Jay Graham took over. After an interception return to the 8-yard line, Graham would score a couple of plays later.

A few minutes later, Graham would take a handoff 80-yards for the game-winning touchdown in what was one of the more electrifying moments in the history of this rivalry. 

1995: Peyton Manning Naked Bootleg Puts Alabama Away Early

After having scored a touchdown on the opening play from scrimmage, Tennessee was destined to blow Alabama's doors off in this one. 

When Peyton Manning ran into the end zone completely undetected on the naked bootleg for the 21-0 first quarter lead, Tennessee fans everywhere were on the verge of rapture. 

The Vols never looked back and broke Alabama's nine year strangle-hold on the series.

The play by Peyton Manning was a defining moment of his early Tennessee career, as well as a key hurdle to the Vols incredible run of the late 90's. 

2005: Cory Anderson Fumbles Out Of The Back Of The End Zone

Another season with big expectations was already somewhat hampered when the Vols went to T-Town for the annual showdown with Alabama. Tennessee had already lost twice in a season where they were ranked No. 2 in the preseason. 

Alabama was ranked No. 5 coming into this game, and Tennessee was barely clinging to the top 25 at No. 17. 

The game came down to the final quarter, yet again. With just five minutes remaining in what became a battle of field goal kicker's, Tennessee would have had a huge fourth-and-goal play at the Alabama three yard line—that is, if Cory Anderson hadn't fumbled the ball out of the back of the end zone on third down. 

Alabama got the ball at the 20 and a huge third down conversion—Croyle to DJ Hall for 43 yards—later, the Tide was in prime position to kick the gamewinner. And that they did with just 15 seconds remaining in the game. Alabama wins 6-3.

1990: 'Bama Blocks Field Goal, Upsets No. 3 Vols By Making One Moments Later

Speaking of field goal battles, that phenomena was nothing new to this rivalry in 2005. Just 15 years prior to that 6-3 affair, No. 3 Tennessee lost a heartbreaker to the hated Tide when, after blocking the would-be gamewinner for the Vols, Alabama ended up with the ball in Tennessee territory.

After running the ball a couple of times, Alabama coach Gene Stallings sent his field goal kicker onto the field to win the game and pull off the enormous upset. 

The block itself was not as spectacular as the Tide ending up with the ball at the 35-yard line off the deflection. It was a stunning play that led to the Tide's 9-6 victory in Knoxville. 

1998: Peerless Price Returns Kickoff For Touchdown

On their way to the National Championship, the Vols took the lead early, on two Travis Henry touchdowns.

Down 14-3 in the third quarter, the Tide would score a touchdown and two-point conversion to cut it to 14-11.

On the ensuing kickoff, Peerless Price would rumble down the field for a 100-yard touchdown return.

'Bama was demoralized after that play. The Vols would salt it away with two fourth quarter touchdowns to complete the scoring at 35-18.

2003: 4th & 19

At the end of regulation this one was knotted up at 20. 

In the overtime, the game went back and forth. The 3-6 Tide were not going to go down easily. After all, no visiting team had ever won three in a row at Tuscaloosa.

The Vols faced a 4th-and-19 in the third OT. All 'Bama had to do was stop them. But Clausen found a wide open C.J. Fayton for a 29-yard gain setting up the tying score.

In the fourth OT, both teams settled for field goals.

Finally and mercifully in the fifth OT, Casey Clausen scored a touchdown by running for the corner of the end zone on 3rd-and-2.

The Vols made the two-point conversion, a requirement beginning with the third OT, and stopped the extremely tired Tide on their possession.

1993: David Palmer's Two-Point Conversion Saves Bama's Streak

Tennessee had not won a game in this series since 1985. Tennessee fans everywhere could taste the victory over the reigning national champions. 

The Vols led 17-9 with 1:30 remaining. Alabama's 28-game winning streak then came down to a 4th-and-10 from the Tennessee 18 with just 30 seconds remaining. A first down to the 1-yard line set up the Tide to bring it within two points with just 21 seconds left. 

Back then, there was no overtime in college football. So, obviously, rather than lose, you might as well "kiss your sister" and tie the game. 

Running back, David Palmer lined up under center and ran around the corner for the 17-17 tie. 'Bama fans rejoiced as if they had just defeated the best team in the nation. Tennessee fans hung their heads in disappointment as if they had just been beaten by 30 at Legion Field. 

1995: Joey Kent Touchdown On The First Play From Scrimmage

The first play of the game set the tone. Tennessee was not going to be denied on this night. Peyton Manning to Joey Kent would become a recurring theme at Tennessee, but none of the hook-up's between the two would ever compare to the first play from scrimmage at Legion Field in 1995. 

The Vols led 28-7 at halftime and eventually won the game 41-14. 

2009: The Block

Maybe this one sticks out because it was the most recent. Maybe it sticks out because it was quite possibly the lowest I have ever felt after a bitter loss to a hated rival. 

Either way, it was one of the more memorable moments in the history of this rivalry. 

No. 1 Alabama had just seen its future Heisman winner lose the first fumble of his career. Its vaunted defense had given up a last minute touchdown, and its kick coverage team couldn't handle the onside kick. 

Finally, the game came down to a kicker. Alabama led 12-10. The injured Daniel Lincoln had already missed a 47-yard field goal attempt and had another blocked by Terrence Cody earlier in the fourth quarter. 

When the meaty hand of Alabama defensive tackle, Terrence Cody impeded the flight path of the another offering from Lincoln, the Tide's No. 1 BCS ranking was again secure.