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Forgotten Rivalry: Auburn vs Tennessee
Posted on 7/22/25 at 10:36 am
Posted on 7/22/25 at 10:36 am
Much gets made over the loss of the Auburn-Florida annual series due to the fact that the two teams had met 80 times by the time the rivalry ended on an annual basis after 2002…
But often overlooked was Auburn’s rivalry with Tennessee that ended after 1991 to make room for SEC expansion. AU-TN was by far the biggest rivalry casualty of the 1992 Expansion.
From 1956-1991, the Tigers and Vols played every season, combining for 10 SEC Championships during those 36 seasons (5 apiece).
While Auburn won the head-to-head during that stretch, 19-14-1, Tennessee outscored Auburn in total points, 640-637. It was a very competitive series.
The two teams almost always played in late September, often marking the first true test of the season for both. This caused quite a few upsets.
Auburn was 2-1-1 against Top 5 ranked Tennessee teams while the Vols were 3-3-2 against Top 5 ranked Auburn teams.
The competitive nature of the series culminated during the end of the series when there were two high profile games that ended in ties. In 1987, #11 Tennessee managed a tie against #3 Auburn in Knoxville. And just three seasons later in 1990, the two teams once again fought for a tie in Jordan-Hare, 26-26. That was arguably the biggest game of the series as both teams came into the game as defending SEC Champs (having shared the ‘89 title), and both teams were ranked in the Top 5… Auburn #3 and Tennessee #5.
One of the reasons I’m a huge proponent of a 9-game conference schedule with 6 opponents rotating is because we’d be guaranteed to play both Florida and Tennessee twice every four seasons, once at home and once away. The only upside of losing the Tennessee rivalry was that it birthed a new rival for Auburn in LSU. Auburn-LSU began right when Tennessee dropped off and it certainly helped fill the gap. But any system that preserves Auburn’s games against Alabama and Georgia on an annual basis, but also significantly increases the frequency of playing Florida, LSU, and Tennessee is a system that has my full support.
But often overlooked was Auburn’s rivalry with Tennessee that ended after 1991 to make room for SEC expansion. AU-TN was by far the biggest rivalry casualty of the 1992 Expansion.
From 1956-1991, the Tigers and Vols played every season, combining for 10 SEC Championships during those 36 seasons (5 apiece).
While Auburn won the head-to-head during that stretch, 19-14-1, Tennessee outscored Auburn in total points, 640-637. It was a very competitive series.
The two teams almost always played in late September, often marking the first true test of the season for both. This caused quite a few upsets.
Auburn was 2-1-1 against Top 5 ranked Tennessee teams while the Vols were 3-3-2 against Top 5 ranked Auburn teams.
The competitive nature of the series culminated during the end of the series when there were two high profile games that ended in ties. In 1987, #11 Tennessee managed a tie against #3 Auburn in Knoxville. And just three seasons later in 1990, the two teams once again fought for a tie in Jordan-Hare, 26-26. That was arguably the biggest game of the series as both teams came into the game as defending SEC Champs (having shared the ‘89 title), and both teams were ranked in the Top 5… Auburn #3 and Tennessee #5.
One of the reasons I’m a huge proponent of a 9-game conference schedule with 6 opponents rotating is because we’d be guaranteed to play both Florida and Tennessee twice every four seasons, once at home and once away. The only upside of losing the Tennessee rivalry was that it birthed a new rival for Auburn in LSU. Auburn-LSU began right when Tennessee dropped off and it certainly helped fill the gap. But any system that preserves Auburn’s games against Alabama and Georgia on an annual basis, but also significantly increases the frequency of playing Florida, LSU, and Tennessee is a system that has my full support.
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Posted on 7/22/25 at 10:40 am to AUTiger789
Auburns 2nd most played oppoenent Mississippi State ended last year as well. We lost Alabama, LSU. And Auburn 3 of the longest played rivalries in the SEC last year.
Tradition is dying. We evolved from playing games that matter to actual fans to prioritizing TV Fans. Its why attendance goin down. We care more about Playin Alabama Auburn LSU Ole Miss, than Texas, A&M, missouri, or SC. It is what it is. Arkansas has become a fine series for us tho ill say that. If Tennessee were closer to Memphis we probably could've had a thing with them too. Vanderbilt probably should be a thing for us but we never play them.
Tradition is dying. We evolved from playing games that matter to actual fans to prioritizing TV Fans. Its why attendance goin down. We care more about Playin Alabama Auburn LSU Ole Miss, than Texas, A&M, missouri, or SC. It is what it is. Arkansas has become a fine series for us tho ill say that. If Tennessee were closer to Memphis we probably could've had a thing with them too. Vanderbilt probably should be a thing for us but we never play them.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 10:45 am to The Winner
quote:
Tradition is dying. We evolved from playing games that matter to actual fans to prioritizing TV Fans.
The powers that be in college football (ESPN, FOX, conference commissioners, university presidents and ADs) want to turn college football into a made for TV product like the NFL. It’s a shame.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 10:53 am to The Winner
quote:
Auburns 2nd most played oppoenent Mississippi State ended last year as well. We lost Alabama, LSU. And Auburn 3 of the longest played rivalries in the SEC last year.
Auburn’s rivalries were the biggest casualty of the 1992 expansion.
Similarly Mississippi State’s rivalries were the arguably the biggest casualty of the 2024 expansion. Just brutal losing all of those.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 10:58 am to AUTiger789
In terms of rivalries, we got fricked by expansion more than any team. I had a lot of good times in Neyland Stadium. I loved playing Bama, UGA, UT and Florida every year. Even Ga Tech for OOC. Now we get Mizzou, A&M, Kentucky, and Oklahoma. And they chalk it all up to “progress”. Mr. Peabody’s coal train has hauled away.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 10:58 am to AUTiger789
quote:The conference shite on AU in the '92 expansion. Those were annual must-see games and the SEC DGAS and yanked them.
Auburn’s rivalries were the biggest casualty of the 1992 expansion.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 11:05 am to TailbackU
quote:
I loved playing Bama, UGA, UT and Florida every year. Even Ga Tech for OOC. Now we get Mizzou, A&M, Kentucky, and Oklahoma
Yep.
From 1956-1987, Auburn played Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi State, and Georgia Tech every single season… many of those started up way earlier.
We lost the Tech rivalry after 1987.
We lost the Tennessee rivalry after 1991.
We lost the Florida rivalry after 2002.
We lost the Mississippi State rivalry after 2023.
No offense to Missouri, A&M, Arkansas etc, but it’s maddening to see these teams on our schedule now after losing so much history.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 11:25 am to AUTiger789
1989 Tennessee-Auburn game will always be Johnny Majors' best win, in my opinion. Classic 80s football, 2 legendary coaches, and both SEC winners.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 1:36 pm to AUTiger789
quote:
We lost the Florida rivalry after 2002.
I feel like if they knew 10 years later the Florida - Auburn rivalry would be put on the chopping block, they may have set up the divisions differently in '92.
Florida - Tennessee didn't have much history. Curious how it would have played out if there was only 1 permanent rival rom the start.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 1:37 pm to AUTiger789
We got a little double-dose in 04.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 1:38 pm to AUTiger789
Forgotten dynasties as well
Posted on 7/22/25 at 3:31 pm to AUTiger789
Unless the SEC goes to a 9 game conference schedule, it looks to me as if two of these three games end being on the schedule every year; Auburn V Georgia, Auburn v Alabama, Tennessee v Alabama.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 3:36 pm to AU5000
quote:
Unless the SEC goes to a 9 game conference schedule, it looks to me as if two of these three games end being on the schedule every year; Auburn V Georgia, Auburn v Alabama, Tennessee v Alabama.
If this happens then Id actually stop watching football. Not that anyone cares. But I draw the line at generational rivalries that shaped this region and conference being flushed down the toilet.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 3:40 pm to VFL67
What the hell is going on in Knoxville hearing rumors one of your players is holing out on playing because of NIL stuff?
Posted on 7/22/25 at 3:48 pm to AUTiger789
Auburn-Tennessee was a big rivalry? I'm not old enough to remember that, but I'll take your word for it.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 3:59 pm to PrattvilleTiger
It was.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 4:27 pm to AUTiger789
Great post.
Posted on 7/22/25 at 4:37 pm to AUTiger789
quote:
From 1956-1987, Auburn played Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Mississippi State, and Georgia Tech every single season… many of those started up way earlier.
Sounds like you are basically calling every team Auburn played on the reg a "rivalry".
It seems strange that Auburn had six "rivals"...
Posted on 7/22/25 at 4:50 pm to PrattvilleTiger
quote:it was traditionally the SEC opener for both schools, and it generally set the tone for your entire season
Auburn-Tennessee was a big rivalry?
there was some anticipation on the Plains in 1980 that Barfield was turning the corner, having finished 8-3 the season before and coming off probation - until that brutally hot Saturday in Jordan-Hare when the Vols crushed AU 42-0, leading to a winless SEC slate and Barfield’s firing
likewise, in 1983 AU was coming off a home arsewhipping by Texas on national TV and had to turn right around and travel to Neyland to face a favored UTee team, only to blow open a close game in the 2nd half and win 37-14, starting a 10 game winning streak against one of the toughest schedules in school history
so yeah, it sucked when this one died, but its become the rule rather than the exception nowadays
Posted on 7/22/25 at 4:56 pm to VFL67
First time I saw Cobb-Webb
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