No matter how hot the day, Alabama football Saturdays are special. Check out all you need to know if going to Tuscaloosa or watching elsewhere.
A tip of the hat to the Alabama football fans who will be in attendance at Bryant-Denny Saturday afternoon. The game is a total mismatch. The weather, near brutal. Still, every player who dresses for the Crimson Tide (and the NMSU Aggies as well) deserve your attention.
With a nod to fans attending the game, this post will focus on what to do when in Tuscaloosa. We’ll close with a little information for the rest of us.
For those Alabama football fans attending the game
Leave home early. The crowd will be smaller than normal but traffic will still be a challenge. For all those sitting in the sun (most of the stadium at 3:00PM) getting to your seat close to kickoff might be advisable. The predicted temperature at kickoff is 98 degrees. The National Weather Service has issued a Hazardous Weather, Heat Advisory for Tuscaloosa until 9:00PM Saturday. The projected heat index is 105-107 degrees around kickoff.
There will be cooling stations throughout the stadium. Empty water containers can be brought in the gates and there will be ample free water available. There has been no word if the player, air-conditioned tents will be in use on the sideline.
Instead of getting in your seat early, try the Quad or the Paul Bryant Museum. The Museum opens at 8:00 AM. The Coca-Cola and Mercedes-Benz Fan Fest area opens at 11:00 AM. Former Alabama football players, Antonio Langham, Prince Wimbley, Marco Battle and Lee Ozmint will be signing autographs.
If you don’t leave at the end of the third quarter … and be warned Nick Saban gets a list of everyone who does … don’t try to move your car for at least an hour after the game. There are plenty of great places for food and drink. Be or have a designated driver with you.
For those opting for more comfort
The game will be on the SEC Network and its streaming sources. Taylor Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb and Alyssa Lang have the call. The Crimson Tide Radio Network will be available on Sirius/XM: 135/190.
This will be the first meeting between the teams. The long trip from Las Cruces is well worth it for the Aggies – as in $1.7 million. By its own admission, New Mexico State is a ‘low-resource’ school and big paydays are essential.
After earning $600K in Pullman last week, the $1.7M Saturday and a later $1.5M payday from Ole Miss, NMSU is trying to recoup an almost $10M deficit in its football budget.