Ok hear me out fellow Tide fans, I realize that Tennessee is one of our biggest rivals second behind of course Auburn, but the game has lost some of the luster over the years.

I think mainly because of two things: First, our dominance over the Vols. We’ve won the last four games and five out of the past six. Most of the games, including the game last year in Knoxville, were blowouts.

Second, we don’t have a coach to hate any more. When Phillip Fulmer left most of our reason for hating the Vols had left too we thought, until Lane Kiffin came along. Lane was the perfect foe; arrogant, loud, and obnoxious.

Until he screwed things up and went to USC. Also, since the Vols have been down recently, it hasn’t been as much fun to beat them any more.

Arkansas, on the other hand, has become HUGE on the Tide’s radar screen since Bobby Petrino came there. This game has become one of the biggest of the season for both squads because it pretty much determines which direction the season will go for either team.

Not to mention, most of the games over the years have been close including the thriller last year in Fayetteville, so it’s reasonable to think that this game has replaced Tennessee; I know in the eyes in a lot of Arkansas fans we are their biggest rival.

But knowing how we as Alabama fans think, Arkansas is not as important as beating the Vols. Beating the Vols after all that has happened over the years, is still sweet and it never gets old.

What do you think? Do you still get excited over beating Tennessee?

Alabama Products For Sale: