Alabama and Tennessee both enter at 5-1 for the 109th Third Saturday in October
The 109th Third Saturday in October pairs No. 6 Alabama, fresh off a loss to Georgia, with No.
In brief
- Kickoff at Neyland Stadium is 3:30 p.m. ET, or 2:30 p.m. CT, on ABC.
- DIRECTV and Fubo each offer a five-day free trial, with Sling as a cheaper fallback.
- Alabama and Tennessee both stand at 5-1 ahead of the 109th meeting of the rivalry.
Saturday, Oct. 17, brings the Third Saturday in October to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. The No. 6 Crimson Tide face the No. 14 Volunteers, and the opening kick comes at 3:30 p.m. Eastern, which is 2:30 p.m. Central. ABC has the broadcast, so anyone without cable needs a streaming service that includes the network.
Where and when to watch
ABC carries the game, according to syracuse.com, which names DIRECTV and Fubo (FuboTV) as ways to stream it. Viewers in the Central time zone should plan for the earlier clock reading, and it is sensible to sign in to a streaming account before the game starts.
Streaming options compared
Both services include ABC and offer a free trial of five days. Fans who have already used both trials can fall back on Sling, which al.com describes as a cheap monthly subscription.
| Service | Package | Listed price | Free trial |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fubo | Pro | $88.99 | Five days |
| DIRECTV | Entertainment | $89.99 | Five days |
Prices and promotions vary between outlets, so confirm the current offer on the provider’s own page before signing up. nj.com lists lower starting rates, $54.99 per month for DIRECTV and $64.99 for Fubo depending on the package, and says DIRECTV enrolls customers automatically once the trial ends. None of this matters for viewers who already receive ABC through cable or an antenna.
What is at stake
Both programs arrive at 5-1. In SEC play, Alabama stands at 3-1 and Tennessee at 2-1. The Crimson Tide are looking to rebound from their first defeat of the year, 20-17 against Georgia, the new No. 1 team. The Volunteers got past Arkansas 24-17 a week earlier.
This is the 109th edition of the rivalry. Alabama holds a 60-40-7 edge in the series, and it won the previous meeting in Tuscaloosa by a 37-20 score.
Players and numbers to watch
- Keelon Russell, Alabama quarterback: his season total stands at 1,599 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and two interceptions. Georgia held him to 185 yards through the air last week. The Alabama offense as a unit gains 452.5 yards per game.
- Ryan Coleman-Williams, Alabama receiver: 23 receptions, 415 yards and four touchdowns. Syracuse.com says head and knee injuries could keep him out, while NJ.com reports that he will not play.
- DeSean Bishop, Tennessee running back: 678 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. The Volunteers as a group pile up 228.3 yards on the ground each game.
- George MacIntyre, Tennessee quarterback: he got the start against Arkansas because freshman Faizon Brandon was hurt, and he ended that game with 247 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
- Alabama’s defense: opponents average under 100 yards rushing against it.
Al.com notes that Russell is completing nearly 68% of his passes, and it puts his season tally at 16 touchdowns and more than 1,800 total yards. For Tennessee, the same outlet credits Bishop with nearly 700 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, and it points out that the Volunteers have won back-to-back games.
Photo: Willians Huerta / Pexels
