The University of Alabama and Auburn University play each other annually in the Iron Bowl, arguably one of the most heated and hardest-fought rivalries in all of sports. The game is alternately held at each school with the Crimson Tide hosting in even years and the Auburn Tigers are hosting in odd. As both schools are proudly among the most winningest collegiate football programs, this game is one of the best of the year
Alabama and LSU have been meeting annually since 1964. The matchups between these two SEC powerhouses has been peppered with a series of events that contributed to this matchup becoming a heated rivalry. One of the most recent incidents was Alabama hiring Nick Saban, who led LSU to a National Championship, as head coach in 2007. The two teams are regularly close in the rankings, thus making it a very exciting match-up to watch.
The matchup between the University of Alabama and the University of Tennessee is dubbed the Third Saturday in October as that is when the game was traditionally played before the SEC split into Eastern and Western divisions. Fun fact: in the 1950s, the head trainer for Alabama (Jim Goostree) began handing out victory cigars when they were victorious over Tennessee and kept the tradition secret due to it being a tobacco product. In 2005, Alabama restarted the tradition publicly and self-reported the violation; every year since the winning team knowingly violates NCAA rule and reports the violation as it’s become a tradition.
Crimson Tide Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
Tailgating at the University of Alabama has become an integral and crucial part of the game day and the culture of Crimson Tide fans. The Bama fan base is insanely loyal to their team, so much so that there is a five-year waiting list for season tickets. This extreme loyalty means Bama fans celebrate and party all around the stadium on game day, so you’ll have no problem finding a fun tailgate party to join.
Alabama fans are also some of the most knowledgeable and dedicated football fans in the country, which means you’ll have a great time talking football with fellow fans while tailgating. You’ll have a blast hanging out and partying with fellow Bama fans here in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama has a ton to offer regarding tailgating locations. The tailgating scene at Alabama offers you anything from bars along The Strip to the rowdy Quad, and of course family friendly tailgating as well. You’ll find a great time no matter what you’re looking for whether it’s slamming brews at The Houndstooth on The Strip or enjoying the lush lawns and tailgate tents of the Quad.
The football team is bussed in from Hotel Capstone (where they stay on game day) and then make the walk from University Boulevard to their locker room among a sea of rowdy and enthusiastic Bama fans.
Right outside the north end zone entrance and the end of the Walk of Champions is a bronze statue depicting two anonymous football players with the numbers 18 and 92 on their jerseys, representing the year the Crimson Tide began playing.
The Paul Bryant Museum is located a few blocks east of the stadium and is a must-see for any college football fan. The museum is home to a ton of memorabilia and exhibits honoring the many successful coaches and players that have been a part of the Crimson Tide history.
The Strip is located close to the stadium and is loaded with restaurants, bars, and shops to visit . Stop by The Strip and grab a bite to eat or something to drink before taking in a Crimson Tide football game.
One of the great Alabama pregame traditions is the Elephant Stomp, a pregame show outside Bryant-Denny Stadium performed by the Alabama marching band, the Million Dollar Band. One hour before kick-off, each band section will warm up and meet on the steps of the Gorgas Library and the band and cheerleaders will lead Bama fans in a short pep rally and march to the stadium. If you want to get in the Bama spirit then head on down to the Elephant Stomp to see some great pre-game entertainment.
Four hours before kickoff, the Coca-Cola Kick-off Zone is the official tailgate of the University of Alabama. The Kick-off Zone is home to activities for the kids as well as a large flat screen TV. You can even get autographs from your favorite current Alabama student athletes, so make sure to check out the Kick-off Zone when attending a Crimson Tide game.
Where to tailgate
The QuadLocated on the northwest corner of University Boulevard and Colonial Drive, the Quad is the beating heart of Alabama tailgating. Hundreds of fans will make their way over to the quad and set up tents, TVs, and all other essentials for tailgating. The Quad covers a 20-acre piece of land which does not allow vehicles or trailers, making more room for fans to mingle or toss around a football before kick-off. While there, be sure to check out the Walk of Fame of hand and foot impressions of each Alabama team captain since 1947
Rama-Jama'sThis breakfast/burger joint is right outside the stadium and is a game day staple. It is owned by a local resident, Gary Lewis, boasts some of the best burgers in the state.
GallettesRight down the road from Bryant-Denny Stadium is this fan favorite spot on The Strip. Many fans will pregame at this bar before heading to the quad or the stadium itself. Be sure to get the Yellowhammer as it is their signature cocktail
Coca-Cola Kick Off ZoneFour hours before kickoff, the Coca-Cola Kick-off Zone is the official tailgate of the University of Alabama. There are activities for the kids as well as a large flat screen TV. There is also an Alabama autograph tent in this area where current athletic Bama teams will meet their fans and sign autographs
The HoundstoothThis bar gets packed on game day but is one of the best options to pregame/tailgate before kickoff. The Houndstooth comes equipped with thirty-six HD TVs and a large projection screen showing the Bama game, as well as a ton of rowdy Crimson Tide fans ready to celebrate game day
Crimson Tide Stadium Guide
In Game
Bryant-Denny Stadium is the fifth largest college football stadium in the United States with a capacity of 101,821. This massive stadium was originally named Denny Stadium after the fifteenth president of the University and was renamed in 1975 by the state legislature to Bryant-Denny Stadium to honor Coach Paul William “Bear” Bryant, who brought the Crimson Tide six national titles. All home games in Tuscaloosa, Alabama have been sold out since 1988, which is equally impressive and not surprising as the halls of the University of Alabama have been walked by some incredible athletes as well as coaches.
College football is huge in Alabama, and with their many accomplishments, Bryant-Denny Stadium regularly reaches its full capacity. You’ll feel the energy and excitement of an Alabama football game before the kickoff when the crowd erupts into cheering and screaming as their beloved team takes the field. The amount of energy and noise that the Crimson Tide produce is so loud that you’ll feel the entire stadium shake around you.
Once the game gets going the crowd gets even louder and more intense as that’s when the fans break out the poms. All throughout the game fans wave around pom poms making it look like the crowd is moving, which gets in the head of the opposition. The poms are quite a sight to behold and an even greater thing to be a part of so make sure to bring your pom poms when you make your trip to Bryant-Denny Stadium.
It’s not just the crowd that makes a trip to Bryant-Denny Stadium well worth your while, but the product on the field is also top notch. You’ll be in for a treat regardless of when you come to Tuscaloosa to see a game as you’ll be able to witness one of the finest teams in the country take the field. The Crimson Tide have finished in the top 10 each of the last seven years and have won three National Championships over the same period. You’ll also get to witness some of the biggest and fiercest rivalries in college football if you come during SEC play. The Crimson Tide’s winning tradition and die-hard fans make a trip to Bryant-Denny Stadium a great an experience that you’ll never forget.
Every true Alabama fan already has a pom-pom in hand when they get to their seat in the stadium. In unison, the crowd shakes them back and forth when the Crimson Tide make a good play or just when the crowd knows they need to get excited!
Crimson Tide fans know the team is about to take the field when they first hear “Yea, Alabama!” blasting through the speakers. It is in your best interest to be in your seat to watch the intro and join in with thousands of screaming fans.
Named in 1922 after a Crimson Tide loss to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, an Atlanta sportswriter said to an Alabama alumni, W.C. ‘Champ’ Pickens, “You don’t have much of a team; what do you have?”. Pickens responded saying, “A Million Dollar Band.” The Million Dollar Band lives up to their name, so enjoy the show put on by the Million Dollar Band when attending a Crimson Tide game.
Since his debut at the 1980 Sugar Bowl, Big Al has been entertaining fans young and old at Crimson Tide sporting events. Look for Big Al at the game since you never know what he’ll get up to next.
Alabama fans like to add their own lyrics to songs so be sure to learn the lyrics and join in!
Spend my dollar (ON BEER),
Parked in a holler ‘neath the mountain moonlight (ROLL TIDE),
Hold her uptight,
Make a little lovin’,
A little turtle dovin’ on a Mason Dixon night,
Fits my life, oh, so right,
My Dixieland Delight.
Spend my dollar (ON BEER),
Parked in a holler ‘neath the mountain moonlight (ROLL TIDE),
Hold her uptight (AGAINST THE WALL),
Make a little lovin’ (ALL NIGHT),
A little turtle dovin’ on a Mason Dixon night (**** AUBURN),
Fits my life (AND LSU), oh so right (AND TENNESSEE, TOO),
My Dixieland Delight.
Yea Alabama (Fight Song)
Yea, Alabama! Drown ’em Tide! Every ‘Bama man’s behind you, Hit your stride. Go teach the Bulldogs to behave, Send the Yellow Jackets to a watery grave. And if a man starts to weaken, That’s a shame! For Bama’s pluck and grit have Writ her name in Crimson flame. Fight on, fight on, fight on men! Remember the Rose Bowl, we’ll win then. Go, roll to victory, Hit your stride, You’re Dixie’s football pride, Crimson Tide, Roll Tide, Roll Tide!
Alma Mater
Alabama, listen, Mother,
To our vows of love,
To thyself and to each other,
Faithful friends we’ll prove.
Faithful, loyal, firm and true,
Heart bound to heart will beat.
Year by year, the ages through
Until in Heaven we meet.
College days are swiftly fleeting,
Soon we’ll leave their halls
Ne’er to join another meeting
‘Neath their hallowed walls.
Faithful, loyal, firm and true
Heart bound to heart will beat
Year by year, the ages through
Until in Heaven we meet.
So, farewell, dear Alma Mater
May thy name, we pray,
Be rev’renced ever, pure and stainless
As it is today.
Faithful, loyal, firm and true
Heart bound to heart will beat
Year by year, the ages through
Until in Heaven we meet.
Rammer Jammer Cheer
Sung after Crimson Tide victories
(Pregame) Hey Auburn! Hey Auburn! Hey Auburn! We’re gonna beat the hell out of you! Rammer Jammer, Yellowhammer, give ’em hell, Alabama!
(Postgame) Hey Auburn! Hey Auburn! Hey Auburn! We just beat the hell out of you! Rammer Jammer, Yellowhammer, give ’em hell, Alabama!
Enjoy great meals in a relaxed and casual dining atmosphere with a menu that's constantly evolving. Avenue Pub is also known for its signature drinks and selection of local craft beers.
Located in the shadow of Bryant Denny Stadium, Rama Jama's is the place to go for fabulous food. Breakfast served all day, a wide variety of sandwiches, and the best sweet tea and milkshakes this side of heaven.
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