The countdown is officially under a week. We are now at 6 days until the Alabama Crimson Tide kicks off the 2013 campaign. The anticipation has been building all summer, even since January right after the BCS title game in Miami. It always seem to take forever to get here but here we are and we are all ready for football.
The cool and crisp air will soon move in. It’s been felt a bit where I live already this month. Plans will be made for trips to Tuscaloosa or maybe out of town to an away game to see the Tide play. Meeting up with old friends to watch or go to the game and perhaps making a lot of new friends. That’s one thing about Bama nation. You never meet a stranger. The aroma and smoke from the burning hickory wood that is emitted from the cooking of the barbeque that is the on the grill. Don’t forget about the ice filled coolers with your beverages of choice and taking in the sights around Bryant Denny Stadium, even if it is through the haze from having a few Yellowhammers. It’s the excitement that builds when you are inside the stadium as the Million Dollar Band takes the field. Then as the crowd gets louder and the entrance video starts, the applause and cheering builds so much, you can almost feel the stadium shaking beneath your feet. It’s all about screaming “Roll Tide Roll” on kickoff, echoing back “Roll Tide” to the announcer after a first down is announced, or going absolutely wild when someone from the Tide breaks free and has nothing but daylight between them and the end zone. Also, we can’t forget the most important part; singing “Rammer Jammer” at the end of the game with 100,000+ of your closest friends. Take any one of these things and folks will probably relate to others more than they do the rest. I definitely hit the high spots for me. However, this season will definitely give us all a few things to look forward to as Bama fans.
Probably the one that’s on everyone’s mind is the little bit of revenge we owe the Aggies in College Station. The fans have talked about it and remember but no one remembers last year more than the players and coaches. I’ve heard it and read it. Alabama will be ready this year for them. No doubt about it. This date has been circled and more times than not if Coach Saban has time to prepare and get his game plan ready, it’s bad news for his opponent. Alabama fans don’t want Johnny Manziel out of the game because of the pending investigation. Every mention I have seen wants him in the game. Revenge is that much sweeter with him playing.
Then, you got the annual Third Saturday in October match up with Tennessee. I live in Tennessee right now. Born in Alabama but I made the move for work. I love beating these guys and it makes it that much more pleasant to live here. Coach Butch Jones has re-energized the team with what he has done on the recruiting trail. We will see how it translates on the field. I don’t believe they have the horses to keep up with us this year but that doesn’t matter. We want to beat Tennessee no matter how good or bad they are. And Tennessee wants to keep playing us. That is the beauty of a rivalry. They want to keep playing us until they win again and we are the same way.
Photo Credit: CBS Sports
We also have LSU returning to Tuscaloosa. That series has reached a boiling point. LSU fans hate us even more now than before. The BCS Championship in New Orleans killed their will. They now run with conspiracy theories about scheduling and anything else you can imagine. Come to think of it, I imagine the McCarron to Yeldon screen pass helped much last year either. That game is usually a slug fest more than it is a blowout. I don’t expect anything different this year. LSU fans seem to think that new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will bring the necessary change to the offense to take them to a title. Until I see that he changed Mettenberger and his overthrowing receivers by 10 yards, I’m not to concerned. Like I said, I am expecting a close game but I still have faith in Saban and the Crimson Tide.
Now, we can’t forget about the Iron Bowl at all. That’s the “little game” played with our instate rivals. They also got some energy and momentum going with their recruiting efforts thus far since Malzahn has taken over the program. Most of their fans are predicting a 6-8 win season and figuring in a loss to Bama. Auburn won’t be as bad as they was last year and they probably won’t stay down for long. However with the shape that Chizik left the program, I don’t see them beating Alabama this year. They may finally get that elusive offensive touchdown that they have been avoiding for the past few seasons but I just don’t see them winning.
I just touched on the games that I am looking forward to seeing. I didn’t even worry about the SEC Championship or the bowl game/BCS Title game. We got a long way to go in the season and we play in the SEC. Nothing is a given and that is why they strap up and play the games. We can look at those games a bit down the road. The Road to 16 starts this Saturday in Atlanta against Virginia Tech. No matter what may happen this season, enjoy it. Take in all the little things because in just six days, fall Saturdays are back in the south again. There is no better time in the year for me than right now. Football is back and all is right in the world again. Roll Tide, everyone! Let’s watch these young men go out and try to make even more history than they already have.
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