By AL LESAR

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- We’re a few days away from the third Saturday in October which, in Knoxville, Tuscaloosa and everywhere in between, it’s time for Tennessee-Alabama on the football field.

This is the perfect opportunity to launch Volunteer coverage on this platform.

There is no better atmosphere in college football than a cool, crisp evening in Neyland Stadium when more than 100,000 diehards have their stogies in their pocket ready to light them up celebrating a victory.

I’ve covered college football for the better part of four decades. I’ve been to the biggest, loudest and craziest venues in the country, and nothing compared to three years ago when the Vols ended a 15-game losing streak with Chase McGrath’s 40-yard field goal.

It was mayhem. 

After filing my story as the game ended and pandemonium ensued, I had to make my way down to the field and ultimately the interview room — on the complete other side from where I was.

Wall-to-Wall people, pressed in closely, made for one big humidor that nobody really minded. 

It was a celebration a long time coming.

Since that amazing night, Tennessee has made the series a competition again. The Vols will be looking for their second straight win over the Crimson Tide in a very hostile environment.

Both teams will be in survival mode, when it comes to the College Football Playoffs.

So buckle up, join me and our talented stable of writers — Nate DeVille, Jack Church and Theo Colli — to follow the daily news and views of the Vols in football, recruiting, the Southeastern Conference, Tennessee men’s and women’s basketball and every other sport.

Our goal is to entertain and inform. There will be analysis, opinions and plenty of personality. We’ll make you think and occasionally make you laugh — we might even ruffle some feathers — but, like the Vols, you won’t be bored.

Come along for the ride. You won’t be disappointed.