Alabama football, Nick Saban don't lose to unranked teams, but Vols have come close

Last weekend was a reminder that almost anything can happen on a college football Saturday.

No. 2 Clemson lost to unranked Syracuse. Unranked Arizona State took down No. 4 Washington. No. 9 Washington State got whipped by unranked California. No. 11 Auburn lost to unranked LSU.

Then there was No. 1 Alabama.

Adams:Is Jarrett Guarantano really the quarterback Tennessee Vols need?

Nothing to see there.

The Crimson Tide thumped Arkansas 41-9.

It was a reminder that, even on a wild day for college football, there remains one constant: Alabama does not lose to unranked teams.

Tennessee (3-3, 0-3 SEC) will look to disprove that theory when the Vols play No. 1 Alabama (7-0, 4-0) on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS) in Tuscaloosa.

It’s a monumental task.

Last time Alabama lost to unranked team

The Tide have won 71 straight games against unranked opponents, a streak that dates back to 2007, Nick Saban’s first season in Tuscaloosa. Their average margin of victory over unranked foes during that streak is 30.2 points.

Louisiana-Monroe was the last unranked opponent to beat Alabama, claiming a 21-14 victory on Nov. 17, 2007.

More:Tennessee Vols vs. Alabama predictions? Our experts agree on Crimson Tide

The Vols are one of the few unranked teams to come close to upsetting Alabama during its streak, losing 12-10 in 2009. Terrence Cody blocked Daniel Lincoln’s 44-yard field-goal attempt as time expired.

The streak was in jeopardy again in 2014, when Alabama needed a fourth-quarter touchdown to beat Arkansas 14-13. Since that game, the Tide have won all but two of their 19 matchups against unranked opponents by at least 13 points.

Vols prepare for 'the Red Army'

Vols defensive coordinator Bob Shoop referred to the Tide as “the Red Army.” UT coach Butch Jones said Alabama is “probably the most complete football team I’ve seen in a number of years.”

“All you have to do is look at their body of work this season,” Jones added.

Alabama’s average margin of victory this season is 32.6 points. 

More:Guarantano earns respect vs South Carolina, but is he ready for Alabama?

Oh, and UT’s redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Guarantano will be making his first career road start in front of 100,000-plus at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

“I know that Alabama has always been a great team, and I know that they’re hot right now,” Guarantano said. “I’m very excited for the challenge.”

The game’s opening line was 34 points, which longtime Tuscaloosa News columnist Cecil Hurt reported was the largest opening line in series history. It was up to 36 by Wednesday.

This is the 100th installment of the rivalry dubbed the “Third Saturday in October.” Alabama has won 10 straight against the Vols and leads the all-time series 54-38-7.

“They definitely deserve all the respect that they get,” Guarantano said. “They’re the No. 1 team. Their defense is top five in every single aspect. They deserve respect, but we’re not just going to go down there and lay down for them. We’re going to go in there very confident, and we’re going to go and out-physical them and just play ball.”