Tennessee vs. Alabama: The Historic Cigar Game Tradition Continues

This weekend, one of college football’s most celebrated rivalries takes center stage as the #7 Alabama Crimson Tide roll into the Scruffy City to take on the  #11 Tennessee Volunteers in what’s famously known as the “Third Saturday in October.” 

While this annual SEC clash is always a highlight of the season, it’s not just the on-field action that captivates fans—it’s the long-standing tradition that accompanies the game. Known as the “Cigar Game,” the rivalry brings with it a time-honored celebration: the victorious team lights up cigars to mark their triumph, a secondary violation that the NCAA ignores.

The origins of this unique tradition trace back to 1961, when Alabama’s athletic trainer, Jim Goostree—who was a Tennessee graduate—handed out cigars to the victorious Alabama players after their win over the Volunteers, breaking a 5 game losing streak. What started as a one-time gesture of celebration evolved into an annual ritual, with cigars becoming a symbol of victory in this heated rivalry. Now, the act of lighting up after the game is deeply embedded in the culture of both programs, cementing the “Cigar Game” as one of the most unique and highly anticipated traditions in college football.

The rivalry, famously known as the “Third Saturday in October,” dates back to 1901 and has been defined by legendary players and coaches from both schools. For Tennessee, icons like General Robert Neyland, whose dominant defenses shaped college football throughout the 1930s, 40s, and 50s, laid the foundation for this fierce matchup. Former players turned head coaches like Johnny Majors and Philip Fulmer further solidified Tennessee’s legacy in the rivalry, while players like Peyton Manning, who famously broke a long losing streak against Alabama in 1995 with a memorable “play number one,” are forever etched in Volunteer history.

On the Alabama side, Wallace Wade turned the Tide into a dominant force in the 1920’s. This was followed by the legendary Bear Bryant who made Alabama into the perennial power they are today, with the Tennessee game being a significant contest each season. Modern Alabama teams under Nick Saban have dominated the series recently, with stars like Derrick Henry, Julio Jones, and Tua Tagovailoa making their mark. Saban’s Alabama teams enjoyed a 15-year winning streak against Tennessee from 2007 to 2021, one of the longest periods of dominance in the rivalry’s history.

Tennessee broke that streak in dramatic fashion in 2022, winning 52-49 at Neyland Stadium with a walk-off field goal. The victory sent Vols fans into a frenzy, storming the field and lighting up cigars as the long-dormant tradition was reignited. For Josh Heupel, who lit an Olivia Melanio, the win was a defining moment as Tennessee’s head coach, signaling the Volunteers’ resurgence and a renewed competitiveness in the SEC.

Now, as the 2024 “Third Saturday in October” matchup approaches, the stakes are high once again. Alabama, led by first year head coach Kalen DeBoer, who will look to etch his name in the history books of this historic rivalry, will look to make it two in a row. Tennessee on the other hand, is determined to reclaim the cigar-smoking rights that were lost last year and build momentum in their march towards the College Football Playoff.

Beyond the game itself, the cigar tradition adds an extra layer of excitement to the rivalry. With the rivalry once again at full strength, both teams know that the chance to light up a cigar at the end of the game carries more weight than ever.

Whether Alabama or Tennessee emerges victorious, the winning team will uphold this long-standing ritual—celebrating not just a win, but a decades-long tradition that connects the present to the past. 

For fans, the “Third Saturday in October” is more than just a football game—it’s a celebration of one of college football’s greatest rivalries. The tradition of cigars has become just as important as the game itself, symbolizing a hard-fought victory that transcends generations. With each passing year, the significance of the game grows, uniting players, coaches, and fans in a moment of shared history and pride.

As Tennessee and Alabama prepare to meet once again, the question looms: Who will earn the right to light up their cigars this year? Will the Crimson Tide roll on and reclaim their dominance, or will Smokey and the Vols continue their resurgence? The answer will come on the “Third Saturday in October,” when these two storied programs clash on the banks of the Tennessee River in one of college football’s most legendary rivalries. When the final whistle blows, will we hear the echo of “Rocky Top,” or will Rammer Jammer reign supreme?