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Home game hype: Things to do before Alabama vs Georgia kickoff

ken roberts, tuscaloosa news
·4 min read

The eyes of the college football world will be on Tuscaloosa on Saturday as the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide tangle on the field.

The last time the two schools met in December 2023, UA won its 30th SEC championship by beating Georgia 27-24. This year's game has attracted national primetime coverage from ABC as Nick Saban's successor, Kalen DeBoer, faces Saban protege Kirby Smart in a blockbuster early season matchup.

More: Alabama-Georgia game could pump $18M to $24M into Tuscaloosa economy

Former president Donald Trump is expected to be in attendance, so fans expect tighter security before and after kickoff.

Here's a guide to all the hype before the 6:30 p.m. kickoff at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Lights, camera ...

ESPN's “College GameDay” will broadcast live from Denny Chimes beginning at 8 a.m. Rece Davis hosts the three-hour show joined by analysts former UA football coach Nick Saban, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit and more.

The show's set will be near Denny Chimes, 739 University Blvd.

College GameDay was on campus at the University of Alabama for the matchup between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Texas Longhorns Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Fans hold signs in the background of the GameDay set demonstrating their feelings about the game.
College GameDay was on campus at the University of Alabama for the matchup between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Texas Longhorns Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. Fans hold signs in the background of the GameDay set demonstrating their feelings about the game.

Pregame entertainment

Champions Lane, a 60,000-square-foot entertainment area, will open at 11:30 a.m. northwest of Bryant-Denny Stadium on the lawn behind the Tuska statue.

The area includes a concert stage, food trucks from World of Beer and Texas Roadhouse, a beer garden lounge with casual seating, LED videoboards for fans to watch other college football games in progress, an autograph tent and more.

Country music star Lauren Alaina will give a free concert from 4:30 until 5:30 p.m. at the Bud Light Backyard Concert Stage. Texas-based singer-songwriter David Lewis will perform on the stage from 1:30 until 3 p.m.

The Crimson Tide Sports Network's pregame radio show will broadcast live from the stage beginning at 3 p.m.

More: Alabama-Georgia football history: What are the most memorable Crimson Tide vs Bulldogs games?

Fans can also visit the Nissan Heisman House, a display highlighting past winners of the Heisman Trophy, with former UA star Landon Collins available for autographs beginning at 4 p.m.

Autograph opportunities include the UA tennis team from 2 until 3 p.m. and UA basketball team members from 3 until 5 p.m. at the Alabama Department of Public Health tent. Former UA running back Trent Richardson will sign autographs beginning at 12:30 p.m. near the concert stage. And former UA quarterback AJ McCarron will be at the Kingsford display beginning at 2:30 p.m.

Champions Lane will close when the game kicks off.

Honorary game captains Jackie Sherill and Gaylon McCullough will sign autographs from 12:30-1:30 p.m. at the Paul W. Bryant Museum, 300 Paul W. Bryant Drive.

College GameDay was on campus at the University of Alabama for the matchup between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Texas Longhorns Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. The Million Dollar Band performs during the lead in to the show.
College GameDay was on campus at the University of Alabama for the matchup between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Texas Longhorns Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023. The Million Dollar Band performs during the lead in to the show.

Walk of Champions/Elephant Stomp

Two of UA's most popular pre-game rituals take place within walking distance of Bryant-Denny Stadium, the Walk of Champions and the Elephant Stomp.

Fans can cheer the UA football players, Kalen DeBoer and the UA coaching staff members as they arrive by bus for the game at 4:25 p.m. along the Walk of Champions on the north side of the stadium. That's the side of the stadium that also includes statues of Alabama national championship coaches — Paul W. "Bear" Bryant, Nick Saban, Gene Stallings Frank Thomas and Wallace Wade — along with Tuska, the 24-foot tall, 7-ton elephant sculpture.

The Elephant Stomp, a pregame pep rally featuring elephant mascot Big Al, the Million Dollar Band and UA cheerleaders, will begin at 3:55 p.m. at the Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library. The band will play the school fight song, "Yea Alabama," and then march down Colonial Drive, leading Crimson Tide fans into the stadium.

Sep 9, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Big Al leads the Million Dollar Band onto the field for their pregame show before the Crimson Tide played Texas at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 9, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Big Al leads the Million Dollar Band onto the field for their pregame show before the Crimson Tide played Texas at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports

Inside the stadium

The gates at Bryant-Denny Stadium will open at 4 p.m.

A pregame flyover is scheduled by to feature the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing from the Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, North Carolina.

The pregame flag recipient will be Jessica Player, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant.

UA's national championship football team from 1964 will be honored. Honorary game captains will be Dr. Gaylon McCullough and Jackie Sherrill, who were both members of the 1964 squad.

Reach Ken Roberts at ken.roberts@tuscaloosanews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Pregame rush: Things to do before Alabama vs Georgia game kicks off