Alabama Football: A little history, lots of sizzle, even a President in T-Town

The nation’s greatest setting for college football will entertain Alabama football and LSU, with massive media presence and even a Presidential sideshow.

From all reports, the Alabama football weekend began Thursday afternoon in Tuscaloosa. The Friday environment was almost as intense as some game days against lesser foes. Saturday will be amped up even more.

Paul Finebaum was already in town, doing his Friday afternoon tv/radio show. Saturday morning, both ESPN GameDay and SEC Nation are broadcasting from the Capstone.

The last time Tuscaloosa had this much frenzy surrounding a game was in 2011. On that November Saturday, it was estimated more than 30 thousand people, without tickets and with no hope of finding any, came to hang out near Bryant-Denny Stadium.

As all Crimson Tide fans know, the road network leading to and inside Tuscaloosa cannot handle such traffic demands. At some point, a Presidential motorcade will make the traffic problem worse.

The President has stated his faithful will forgive him for anything. That might not hold true for any fans who miss the kickoff because of added-security measures and delayed gate entry. Crimson Tide fans are advised to be in gate lines no later than 1:00 pm.

For those who relish college football spectacle, you cannot – not be in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 9. And we haven’t even talked about the football game. Before we do, some attention must be directed to just how bizarre the Alabama Crimson Tide and LSU series has been.

Alabama football has a big series lead at 53-25-5. The history going back to 1970 is unlike any other in college football. From 1970-1999, Alabama football never lost in Baton Rouge. The Crimson Tide failed to win in Baton Rouge one time during all those years – a tie in 1985.

There were six Crimson Tide losses during the three decades. Three losses were in Birmingham and three in Tuscaloosa. After 1986 the games moved from Legion Field to Bryant-Denny.

All Crimson Tide and LSU fans know of the current Alabama football streak of eight wins. Since the start of the Crimson Tide – Nick Saban era, LSU has beaten the Tide just three times. Before Saban, from 2000-2006, LSU won six of the seven contests.

The 2019 game could well out-do all the hoopla surrounding it. It has been reported Alabama football is bringing in over 160 recruits. An on-field exhibition of excellence is both planned and expected. Surpassing even the talent-laden 2011 game, Saturday will showcase as many as 25 players who are expected to be drafted next spring.

On top of it all, are two exceptionally explosive offenses, led by two Heisman contender quarterbacks. The game could make history.

This game will not be for the faint of heart. We don’t mean the players, (they live for this) we mean those watching in Bryant-Denny and across the nation.