Alabama vs Tennessee -- State of The Third Saturday In October

The amount of fans declaring the 2012 installment of the Third Saturday In October as a "Why Watch?" game is astonishing. 

And that's just from the Tennessee fans.

Sure, the game has taken a decided turn in favor of the 'Tide and the nailbiter factor is low, but it still means something to Tennessee fans old enough to remember the 1970s and 1986-1994 and Alabama fans who remember 1995-2006 (Bama won in 2002 and 2005, but that time period was dominated by the Vols).

*** Not been on CBS since 2009 -- Orlando McClain was still at Bama -- Since CBS took over the 2:30/3:30 p.m. timeslot in 1996, Bama and UT played on the network nine times through 2006 (only exceptions were 1997 and 2002). -- Link the Google Doc of TV Games --

--Todd Blackledge is Mr. Third Saturday In October on TV since 1986

-Before 2008, the game had only been played at night four times in the history of the series -- First time was 1987

- Saturday's game will mark the fourth out of the last five games that will be played at night. Primetime sometimes is not always THE Primetime -- Five of the last six have been played outside of CBS -- 2007 actually played on JEFFERSON PILOT

-Point spread was Alabama -16.5  in 2010, Alabama -29.5 in 2011, and Alabama -20 this season. -'Bama covered in 2010 and 2011

-The gas that fed the fire of the series even when Alabama was having a down period was Phillip Fulmer. Results since he left -- 12-9, 41-10, 37-6. ***