Category:University of Tennessee Football History

[edit] History

[edit] Bowl History

[edit] Rivalries

As of 2007 the University of Tennessee football program has several "rival" games on its schedule.

The list of rivals includes:

The University of Alabama (37-44-8)

The University of Florida (19-17-0)

The University of Kentucky (70-23-9)

Vanderbilt University (68-28-5)

The interesting aspect of Tennessee's "rival" games is that there is no clear cut #1 rival. The most natural rival would be in-state Vanderbilt University. This has not been the case in a number of years becuase of the overall success of Tennessee's football program and the lack of success at Vanderbilt. Until 2005 Tennessee had beaten Vanderbilt every year since 1982.

The most played rival is the University of Kentucky having played 102 times. Again, the relative lack of success at Kentucky has meant this rivalry is not as intense as it could have been. In fact, Tennessee currently has a 22 game winning streak against Kentucky.

The University of Alabama for many years was considered Tennessee's top rival. The "Third Saturday in October" series between the two teams is characterized by winning streaks on both sides. Both programs have been successful, both ranking in the top 10 in all time victories. However, the Alabama - Auburn rivalry, the "Iron Bowl" is Alabama's most heated rivalry and detracts somewhat from the UT - Bama rivalry in many fans minds.

The most recent addition and currently the most intense rivalry is between Tennesse and Florida. The achievements of both programs during the 1990's created an atmosphere that made the UT - Florida game not only intensely competitive but nationally important as the winner of the game would go on to an SEC championship several times. This rivalry also suffers from the presence of another more intense rivalry between Florida and Florida State.