College football heats up with Tennessee-Alabama game

​​Cigars are selling like crazy. College GameDay is coming back. And Tennessee is ready to host one of the biggest games Knoxville has seen in many years.

• The matchup against Alabama begins at 2:30pm Saturday.

Why it matters: Tennessee hasn't beaten Alabama since 2006. But the team's electric upswing this year offers a real chance to reset the rivalry.

• If the Vols manage to send the Neyland Stadium crowd home happy, they could establish themselves as a serious contender for the College Football Playoff.

Driving the news: Tennessee comes into the game with a 5-0 record and ranked No. 6 in the AP College Football Poll.

• Alabama is also coming in undefeated, and slightly higher in the rankings at No. 3.
• Fireworks are all but certain, but fans are hoping ESPN will up the ante with a Dolly Parton appearance during College GameDay coverage.

💭 A thought bubble from Axios' Jeff Tracy: We all know the might of Alabama, but despite the Tide's 6-0 record, they have looked uncharacteristically beatable in multiple games this season.

• The Vols have looked as dominant as any team in the nation this year and probably can't wait to prove the bookmakers — who made them seven-point underdogs — wrong.

State of play: Interstate 40 is sure to be crowded as fans from Nashville make the three-hour trek east.

Yes, but: Tickets are sold out, and some of the resale prices sail well over $1,000.

• Thankfully, our readers have suggested some of their favorite sports bars, if you're forced to watch the game from Middle Tennessee.

🍗 Ben P. suggests The Centennial in the Nations, in part because of their "great wings."

😎 Stephen E. recommends Beyond the Edge in East Nashville.

📺 Alan B. went with the Corner Pub's downtown location, although he concedes "we could use a few more pure sports bars downtown."

🍕 The Nashville chapter of the UT alumni association hosts watch parties at BoomBozz in East Nashville.

💭 Adam's thought bubble: My hot takes on sports are tepid at best, but I can weigh in on food options for folks taking a day trip to Knoxville.

• If you're looking for a midpoint pit stop, Cookeville is a must. Ralph's Donut Shop in the heart of town is a blast of sugar-sweet joy.
• During my first visit there years ago, they shoved a free cruller into my hand before I could say hello. (And yes, they have a pumpkin spice doughnut.)