The 5-0, #10 Tennessee Volunteers faced the 5-0, #2 Alabama Crimson Tide at Legion Field in Birmingham, AL. Alabama finished the 1973 regular season 11-0 and were named Coaches' poll national champions prior to the Sugar Bowl. In the Sugar Bowl, Alabama was defeated 23-24 by Notre Dame, the AP national champions. The controversy surrounding this season played a significant role in convincing the polls to wait until after bowl season to name a national champion.