The Southeastern Conference rivals have tradionally played on the third Saturday in October. One week later than usual, plenty is on the line for the defending national champion Volunteers (5-1, 2-1 SEC East) and streaking Crimson Tide (5-1, 4-0 West).

One more loss for either team would eliminate it from the national championship picture and even possibly a spot in the SEC title game. Alabama leads the West, but Tennessee is one of four teams in the East with one loss.

The Volunteers will me making their first trip to Tuscaloosa since dropping an 18-6 decision in 1930. The schools have met every year since 1944, but Alabama has called Legion Field in Birmingham home for its battles with Tennessee.

Alabama leads the all-time series, 42-32-7, but the Volunteers have won the last four games, including last year's 35-18 triumph at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. The Crimson Tide has allowed Tennessee an average of 33.5 points during the losing streak.

Quite simply, the Tide are rolling, having won three straight over ranked SEC opponents. Last weekend, Alabama overcame the largest crowd in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium history to record a 30-24 victory over then-No. 22 Mississippi.

The game presents a classic battle between Alabama's unstoppable running back Shaun Alexander and the third-ranked rush defense of Tennessee, which has allowed only 64.4 yards per contest this season.

Alexander ranks third in the nation with over 155 yards rushing per game, is averaging 5.2 yards per carry and has racked up 13 touchdowns. His performance has put him in the running for the Heisman Trophy, but more importantly for Alabama, he has taken most of the pressure off sophomore quarterback Andrew Zow.

Tennessee had a week off after pasting Georgia, 37-20, in a game in which the final score was not a good indication of the Volunteers' dominance. Tee Martin threw for 283 yards and Cedrick Wilson caught eight passes for 107 yards.

Alabama's defense has been solid but not spectacular this season, allowing at least 24 points in each of the last four games.

TENNESSEE Season schedule and results	ALABAMA Season schedule and results
Sep. 4 Wyoming W 42-17 Sep. 18 @Florida L 21-23 Sep. 25 Memphis W 17-16 Oct. 2 Auburn W 24-0 Oct. 9 Georgia W 37-20 Oct. 23 @Alabama TBA Oct. 30 South Carolina TBA Nov. 6 Notre Dame TBA Nov. 13 @Arkansas 2:00pm ET Nov. 20 @Kentucky 2:30pm ET Nov. 27 Vanderbilt TBA	Sep. 4 @Vanderbilt W 28-17 Sep. 11 Houston W 37-10 Sep. 18 Louisiana Tech L 28-29 Sep. 25 Arkansas W 35-28 Oct. 2 @Florida W 40-39 Oct. 16 @Mississippi W 30-24 Oct. 23 Tennessee TBA Oct. 30 Southern Mississippi TBA Nov. 6 LSU TBA Nov. 13 Mississippi State TBA Nov. 20 @Auburn TBA