He was an Alabama player who learned to dislike Auburn, but learned to hate Tennessee.

"They don't like us. We don't like them," Harper, now with ESPN, said. "It's kind of understood. And when you go to school here, you kind of learn that's what the culture is."

As Alabama prepares to face Tennessee in the "Third Saturday in October" Saturday, Oct. 18, Harper sees a program that is beginning to understand what the rivalry means.

"That will be interesting," Harper said. "I'm sure they do. You know, they lost this game last year, so I'm sure that will pay a little revenge factor in it because you understand how much this means to the fans. And any coach that comes here, you kind of have to understand the rivalries here. That's all throughout the SEC. You got to win your rivalry games. You can't go oh-fer. And I think Kalen DeBoer and this coaching staff and their players understand this."

Alabama lost in Kalen DeBoer's first matchup to Tennessee in 2024, the Crimson Tide's second loss to the Volunteers in three years. But Alabama has not lost to Tennessee at home since 2003, a streak the Crimson Tide will try and continue Saturday night.

Harper said he sees a "much more mature" Alabama team in 2025. The team and the fanbase alike enjoys wins, he said, unlike the Nick Saban era where it mattered how the Crimson Tide won.

And to Harper, that mindset will matter on Saturday, especially against a Tennessee that also has some hatred for the Crimson Tide.

"I know a lot of former teammates in the NFL that went to Tennessee, and they feel the same thing I do," Harper said.

Alabama kicks off against Tennessee at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday on ABC.

Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.