As it turns out, the Third Saturday in October didn’t lose any of its luster during Alabama’s dominating reign under Nick Saban.

The former Crimson Tide head coach said on ESPN’s College Gameday Saturday morning ahead of No. 11 Tennessee's (5-1, 2-1 SEC) clash with No. 7 Alabama (5-1, 2-1) that that the Vols were the biggest rivalry game, despite winning 16 out of 17 games in the series between 2007-23.

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"For our players, this was bigger rivalry than any other game that we played," Saban said. "I'm talking about rivalry game. Even bigger than Auburn to our players. It was difficult for me to get our players up for the Auburn game. It was never difficult for the Tennessee game."

Tennessee and Alabama will meet for the 107th time on Saturday (3:45 p.m. ET, ABC) with the Vols looking to win their second-straight home game against the Crimson Tide for the first time since 2004 and 2006.

Alabama holds a 60-38-8 edge in the series that was first played in 1901 and has been played annually since 1928.

In a series that has been dominated by streaks, the Crimson Tide won 15-straight against Tennessee under Saban. The Vols ended that streak in the last meeting between the two teams in Knoxville in 2022.

MORE FROM VOLREPORT: Before, during and after Chase McGrath's historic kick to beat Alabama

In a back-and-forth game, Hendon Hooker led a drive in the final seconds to get Tennessee within field goal range. Chase McGrath hit a 40-yard field goal as time expired to headline a 52-49 victory.

Alabama, which overcame a two-score halftime deficit to win in Tuscaloosa last season, enters Saturday as a slight road favorite. Tennessee, coming off of an overtime victory over Florida last week, can bolster its College Football Playoff resume with a win.

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