Alabama defensive lineman Tim Smith isn’t say he likes Rocky Top. He might even find it annoying. But even the veteran Crimson Tide defender has to admit, it is catchy.
“It’s catchy. It’s a little bit catchy,” Smith said while meeting with the media earlier this week. “It’s annoying, I ain’t gonna lie. … But it definitely is catchy.”
Ahead of the Third Saturday in October matchup in Knoxville, Rocky Top has been blaring at Alabama’s football facility all week. According to Smith, no matter what time of day it is or most anywhere you go— Rocky Top is playing.
“Everywhere, weight room, training room,” Smith said. “They tried to play it in the locker room, but we turned that off. We’re cool on that. Everywhere, even at practice.”
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Smith is a redshirt senior defensive lineman for Alabama who’s played an abundance of football for the Crimson Tide during his career. Through six games this season, the defensive tackle’s recorded 17 tackles and one sack. Over the course of his career, the Florida native’s totaled 107 tackles, 5.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
Saturday will mark Smith’s third trip to Neyland Stadium during his Alabama career. Smith was on the 2020 Alabama team that blew out Jeremy Pruitt’s final Tennessee team in Knoxville and the 2022 team that lost to the Vols in the 52-49 thriller.
The latest rendition of the rivalry showdown is a critical matchup for both Alabama and Tennessee’s College Football Playoff hopes. It’s expected to be a competitive matchup with Alabama currently 3.5-point favorites over the Vols according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
