Alabama and Tennessee to Restore Home Jersey Tradition for 2026 and 2027 Rivalry Games
The SEC’s mandate for visiting teams to wear white, introduced in 1971, will be temporarily suspended as the Crimson Tide and Volunteers revive a 1928-era custom for their upcoming matchups.
Alabama and Tennessee have agreed to restore the tradition of both teams wearing their home jerseys for their 2026 and 2027 rivalry games. This decision revives a practice that dates back to the first meeting of the series in 1928 but was suspended ahead of the 1971 season. At that time, the Southeastern Conference implemented a rule requiring visiting teams to wear white uniforms, effectively ending the double-home jersey custom for several decades.
The 109th meeting of the rivalry, formally known as the "third Saturday in October," is scheduled for 17 October 2026 at Neyland Stadium. Alabama currently leads the all-time series with a record of 61-40-7. The restoration of the home jersey tradition makes this matchup one of only two in college football, alongside the rivalry between UCLA and USC, where both teams wear their home colours.
Both programs are entering the season with new starting quarterbacks. No. 13 Alabama has not yet officially named a starter following the departure of Ty Simpson, but is expected to select Keelon Russell. Russell, a sophomore from Duncanville, Texas, was ranked as the No. 2 quarterback in the 2025 class by 247Sports. The Crimson Tide also return star wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams and running back Daniel Hill to their offensive lineup.
Under head coach Kalen DeBoer, Alabama aims to return to the College Football Playoff after making its first-ever appearance last season. The Tide won the previous season’s matchup 37-20 at home, setting the stage for a highly anticipated return to the series.
No. 20 Tennessee, led by head coach Josh Heupel, is holding a quarterback competition between five-star freshman Faizon Brandon and redshirt freshman George MacIntyre. The Volunteers are also returning star running back DeSean Bishop and wide receiver Braylon Staley. After finishing the previous season with an 8-5 record, including 4-4 in SEC play, Tennessee is looking to build on that foundation for the 2026 campaign.
The agreement to wear home jerseys applies specifically to the 2026 and 2027 seasons, marking a temporary deviation from the SEC’s long-standing uniform regulations. This move underscores the historical significance of the rivalry and its unique place within the conference’s competitive landscape.
