The mascot of the University of Alabama is the elephant. In 1930 Atlanta Journal sportswriter Everett Strupper reported a fan’s saying “hold your horses, the elephants are coming,” referring to the size of the football team. Strupper and other writers referred to the team as the “red elephants.” The 1930 team went 10-0 and was declared the national champion. Tennessee first played Alabama in 1901. Alabama’s nickname, “Crimson Tide,” comes from a 1907 football game against Auburn. Auburn was heavily favored to win, but Alabama forced a tie in torrential rain. A sportswriter described Alabama’s offensive line as a “crimson tide,” referring to the players’ jerseys, stained red from the wet mud of the field.