Tide schooled on Tennessee Vols rivalry

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — 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.

“The NCAA said it was an extra benefit,” safety Rashad Johnson said.

But the Third Saturday in October — the fourth, this year — still resonates with the players like it does the fans. Just ask Alabama defensive back and kick returner Javier Arenas, whose vocals were not appreciated during Alabama’s trip to Knoxville two years ago.

Arenas, a Tampa native, admits now he didn’t understand the Tennessee-Alabama rivalry.

“The first time I went over there to play, everybody was quiet and focused doing rituals and things of that nature,” Arenas said. “I’m listening to Tupac and singing out loud on the plane. I got cursed out.”

“What are you doing, man?” one player shouted at him.

“What?” Arenas snapped back, and then he got a history lesson.

“They kind of explained it to me and it kind of dawned on me,” Arenas said. “I just thought it was Auburn (that meant so much). Alabama and Auburn. As far as rivalries go, I thought Tennessee was another game. You know, another game you play and take care of business in, but they were about to storm me. I was scared.”

The rivalry offers interesting subplots this weekend. Alabama is attempting to keep its No. 2 national ranking and possibly move to No. 1 if Texas loses to Oklahoma State.

And due to their lofty ranking, Alabama’s players said this game is probably the equivalent of the national championship to Tennessee. The Vols are out of the SEC title race and are just trying to qualify for a bowl game. Just when all of their season goals seemed to disappear, another one emerged: Ruin Alabama’s season.

“I think they want it bad,” Johnson said. “We all know it’s a rivalry game for them as well. It’s bragging rights for them, and they’re definitely up there coaching up and getting ready to play and doing everything they can to come out and beat us and try to spoil what we have going.”

The lack of cigars won’t spoil the fun. The Tennessee-Alabama game is still momentous for the winner, as defensive end Bobby Greenwood discovered after last year’s victory.

“Everybody was happy,” he said. “I got a big turkey for Thanksgiving.”