KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — There's a tradition for the Tennessee-Alabama matchup, also known as the Third Saturday. As part of the tradition, the winning team's fans, players, and coaches smoke cigars after the game.
And this year is no different. Tennessee lost the matchup every year since 2006, until last year when the Vols beat the Crimson Tide, 52-49.
"Well, it's interesting that we've seen really no increase at all," said Dave Watson, owner of Smoky's Tobacco and Cigars. "Until last year. I've been in the business for 16 years. Never seen anything like last year. And it was before the game. It's like the fans knew Tennessee was going to win."
He says fans usually head to the store to buy cigars closer to gameday.
"Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the game is when we sell the cigars," said Watson.
Curtis Brown has been a member of the Squire's Club at the store for two years. He said he loves cigars, the Vols, and said he has high hopes for this weekend's game.
"I think we've got a good chance to beat Alabama," said Brown. "I think we do. I can't stand Alabama. So I think that the Vols are gonna go in and I think we're gonna win."
He said he plans to smoke a cigar whether the Vols win or lose this Saturday. He says it's a cigar club tradition.
"We have to get something that's out of our flavor if we lose, because they lost, so it's sort of like sharing the sympathy pains with them," said Brown. "Then when they win, we get our best premium cigar. So we share the excitement and joy that they got from the victory."
Watson says Tennesseans who are Vols or Crimson Tide fans who plan to go to the game should buy their cigars before they leave the state, to support the local economy. He also says he thinks the quality of cigars is better in Tennessee.