There's a different twist this time around.

The third Saturday in October is approaching and it's Tennessee striving for an upset of Alabama.

For more than a decade, those roles have been reversed.

The Crimson Tide enters this weekend's game ranked higher than the Vols for the first time in this series since 1994, a year 10th-ranked Alabama beat unranked UT 17-13.

The Tide survived a scare against Ole Miss on Saturday and enters the game ranked No. 5 at 6-0, 4-0 SEC.

No. 17 Tennessee (3-2, 2-2 SEC) had an off week to lick wounds from a Georgia loss and prepare for a reenergized Alabama program. Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Tuscaloosa (TV-WVLT).

"This is going to be an old-school football game," UT linebacker Kevin Simon said. "Downhill football. They're going to run the football right at us and we've got to show them we're going to stop the run early.

"There's not going to be too much scheming involved. It's really going to be up to us as a defensive front to get their running game stopped."

That means stop Kenneth Darby.

Alabama's junior tailback is second in the SEC with his average of 102.2 yards rushing per game (5.5 a carry).

"We're not going to let anybody dominate us," Simon said of UT's defense. "We're going to be the aggressors and we're going to try to take the game over and into our hands."

Crimson Tide quarterback Brodie Croyle is another obvious concern.

"He has a really strong arm and he's a smart player," Simon said of Croyle. "He'll be one of the first quarterbacks that doesn't stare down his receivers, and that always makes it a little tougher on a defense. He brings a lot to the table."

UT coach Phillip Fulmer obviously respects the Crimson Tide, especially the leadership and play-making ability of Croyle.

"They're really good," Fulmer said. "Croyle, in my mind before the season, was easily the best quarterback returning in the conference, or certainly one of the best.

"He's very active, very smart and does great job running the playaction."

Croyle, Darby, whoever, motivation is never a problem where Alabama is concerned.

"It's football," Fulmer said. "There's still a lot of football to be played and you still have a chance for a very respectable season.

"You're playing for pride, that's the main thing."

Playing for pride definitely applies to a Tennessee offense still searching for its "personality."

"There's so much talent on this team, it's crazy we just haven't been able to put it together," UT fullback Cory Anderson said. "Alabama's (defense is) real athletic and they run to the ball. They might be the best defensive team we'll face.

"We've just got to cut down our mistakes and we'll be good."

SEC rankings: Total offense: Alabama fourth (394.5), UT eighth (336.2); Total defense: Alabama first (255.8); UT sixth (298.6).

Scoring offense: Alabama sixth (26.8), UT 10th (19.0); Scoring defense: Alabama second (11.3); UT fifth (18.0).

Passing offense: UT fourth (237.4), Alabama seventh (231.0); Passing defense: Alabama second (162.7); UT seventh (202.5).

Rushing offense: Alabama fourth (163.5), UT 10th (98.8); Rushing defense: Alabama third (93.2); UT fourth (93.4).

'Bama Series: Alabama leads the all-time series 43-37-7, but the Vols have won nine of the past 10 meetings.

The Crimson Tide beat the Vols 34-14 in 2002.

Tennessee has won the past two meetings, 51-43 in a five-overtime shootout on the road in 2003 and 17-13 at home last season.