The Southeastern Conference revealed that the University of Alabama’s Crimson Tide and the University of Tennessee’s Volunteers will wear their home jerseys during the 2026 edition of the ‘Third Saturday in October’ rivalry game, a tradition that last appeared in 1970.
Reviving a Time‑Honored Tradition
Both schools and the league agreed to restore the practice as a tribute to the rivalry’s deep‑rooted history, hoping the visual cue will rekindle the pageantry that fans have long associated with the matchup.
Tennessee will also debut an orange uniform when it travels to Bryant‑Denny Stadium, marking the first time the Volunteers will wear that color on Alabama’s home field.
The series, which began in 1928 and was paused only during World War II, sees Alabama holding a 60‑40‑7 edge, though the Volunteers have taken two of the last four meetings.
Greg Byrne, Alabama’s athletic director, praised the joint effort, saying the collaboration underscores the shared commitment to preserving one of college football’s most iconic moments.
Danny White, Tennessee’s athletic director, added that reviving the home‑uniform tradition is ‘one of the most exciting developments for our program in recent years,’ and he expects the orange accent to add a fresh layer of excitement for fans.
The announcement came on August 19, 2024, when the SEC outlined the schedule and uniform details, emphasizing that the game will continue to be played annually as it has since the series resumed after the war.