Josh Heupel compares how the Third Saturday in October rivalry stacks up to Red River Showdown

Josh Heupel got his first winning experience in the Alabama–Tennessee rivalry last season. Taking down Nick Saban set Knoxville on fire for quite some time. Cigars were smoked, the field was rushed, and goalposts ended up in a lake. Finally beating a rival after 15 seasons brings out the best emotions, ones Heupel certainly will never forget.

Being on the losing end during the 2021 season, Heupel knows how much this rivalry means to both fanbases. He describes it as “special” and is known around college football. You can tell he is ready to go back out there on Saturday and try to smoke another cigar.

“This is a special one,” Heupel said during Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference. “The proximity. Everybody, knows the importance it has always had… This rivalry is extremely special not just in college football but for these two programs too.”

This is not the only rivalry game Heupel has been a part of throughout his career. Going back to his playing days as a quarterback at Oklahoma, he got to play in the Red River Shootout against Texas on a yearly basis. We just saw how important that rivalry is the other week, with the Sooners getting a huge win under Brent Venables.

Heupel was asked how the Alabama-Tennessee game stacks up to Texas-Oklahoma, saying the venue is the biggest difference. Of course, Knoxville and Tuscaloosa play host to the Third Saturday in October, while the Cotton Bowl is the venue of the Red River Shootout.

“It’s different than that game,” Heupel said. “That game is always played at a neutral site. So, it’s a little bit different. But it makes it extremely special because you are bouncing back and forth between being home and on the road.”

Like he currently is as the Tennessee head coach, Heupel went 1-1 against Texas during his time in Norman. Of course, the victory came in the undefeated 2000 national championship winning season when Heupel finished runner up in the Heisman Trophy race.

There was never an opportunity to break the tie against the Longhorns, opting to declare for the 2001 NFL Draft and being a first round pick.

Saturday will give Josh Heupel the opportunity to take a lead on Alabama in head-to-head matchups as a head coach. Tennessee has not won in Tuscaloosa since 2003, making it the 20-year mark. Last season’s win went a long way but winning one on the road would be just as sweet for the fans.