Tide Tidbits - October 24, 2008

Alabama-Tennessee game has as much meaning as ever
The annual "Third Saturday in October" matchup has carried a lot of meaning in recent years, but it's just as important as ever. Tennessee hasn't beaten a ranked opponent or held a winning record this season, putting coach Phillip Fulmer as close to the hot seat as he's ever been. A win over Alabama would make quite the statement to Vols fans and Fulmer's bosses. So would a loss. It's also an important game for the Crimson Tide, which is fighting to remain the only SEC team in contention for the national championship.

Saban, Alabama players not seeing Vols as 3-4 team
SABAN: “Tennessee is obviously a big challenge for us. They have a lot of good players. They have 16 starters back from last year’s team. Phillip Fulmer has been there a long time. He has a lot of experience and he has won a lot of games. He is going to get this team playing better and better and better as the season goes on, I am sure of that, and they have made a significant amount of improvement and played extremely well last week against Mississippi State.

Like Tennessee Vols last year, Tide using freshmen
Relying on true freshmen isn’t typically the best formula for Southeastern Conference football success. These must not be typical times.One season after the University of Tennessee used several newcomers during an SEC Eastern Division championship run, Alabama is on course to a similar outcome in the West.

Tide schooled on Tennessee Vols rivalry
Not close, and no cigar. A lot is changing in the Tennessee-Alabama rivalry. Nick Saban doesn’t motivate the Crimson Tide by playing “Rocky Top” in the weight room or on the practice field. Alabama is the national championship contender and Tennessee is attempting to escape the SEC’s basement. And cigars, as Alabama found out following a 41-17 rout of Tennessee last season, are no longer lit in the winners’ locker room.

Roll Tide!