Riley Green and Peyton Manning Team Up for College Football Rivalry Anthem “Alabama vs. Tennessee”
Country music star Riley Green has joined forces with Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning for a playful, spirited rivalry anthem titled “Alabama vs. Tennessee”. Released via Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment, the unexpected collaboration dropped alongside an official music video just in time for the historic “Third Saturday in October” showdown between the Crimson Tide and the Volunteers.
Opposing Sidelines, Shared Southern Roots
The matchup between the University of Alabama and the University of Tennessee stands as one of the fiercest and most storied rivalries in college football history. Both collaborators bring genuine personal ties to their respective programs:
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Peyton Manning: The legendary NFL quarterback served as Tennessee’s starting signal-caller from 1994 to 1997, compiling a 3–1 record against Alabama while throwing for 919 yards and seven touchdowns across those annual clashes. Manning has never hidden his passion for country music, having co-hosted the CMA Awards alongside Luke Bryan and Lainey Wilson and frequently hopping on stage during Nashville concerts.
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Riley Green: Before topping country music charts and joining the coaching panel on The Voice, Green played quarterback at Jacksonville State University from 2007 to 2009. Raised in Jacksonville, Alabama, his deep roots have kept him an avid supporter of the Crimson Tide.
Friendly Barroom Trash Talk
Set inside a smoky, neon-lit honky-tonk, the music video opens with Green strumming an acoustic guitar before Manning slides into the booth, signaling the bartender for a round of drinks.
Trading lines back and forth, the duo takes good-natured jabs at each other’s football allegiances—tossing in nods to “Roll Tide,” “Rocky Top,” Muscle Shoals, and Knoxville. As the rounds keep coming, however, they quickly discover that what unites them runs deeper than the final score:
“I think this world could learn a thing or twofrom a couple of good ol’ boys, like me and you.I’m proud to pull for Knoxville,‘Bout time for the Tide to take the field.We out here in the same bar now,Maybe different sides, but we’re setting up rounds.Man, it ain’t you going up against me,It’s just Alabama versus Tennessee.”
By blending southern sports culture with classic country grit, Green and Manning have delivered an anthem that gives both sides of the rivalry common ground to raise a glass before kickoff.
“Alabama vs. Tennessee” is now streaming on all major digital music platforms, with the official music video available on YouTube.
