Alabama vs. Tennessee football 2023: Everything fans need to know

One more game, and Bama gets a break.

The Crimson Tide will welcome Tennessee to Tuscaloosa on Saturday at 2:30 p.m., marking the Third Saturday in October, before their annual bye.

It’s one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports, not just college football. Nick Saban and Alabama won 15 straight against the Volunteers until last year, when Josh Heupel’s team finally broke through in a 52-49 thriller in Knoxville.

Bama has revenge on their minds, and fans will have those victory cigars ready to go if and when the Jalen Milroe and company take care of business.

Reminder: There are a few Bryant-Denny Stadium change you should know about for 2023, including the field upgrades, shaker bins, concession updates, locker room tours and more.

Here’s what you need to know about gameday at the Capstone this season. For even more information, visit the helpful UA Gameday website.

READ: 10 old Alabama football traditions we miss

SEC NATION: 9 a.m.

WALK OF CHAMPIONS: 12:15 p.m.

GATES OPEN: 12:15 p.m.

ELEPHANT STOMP: 1:30 p.m.

PREGAME FLYOVER/KICKOFF: 2:30 p.m.

TV: CBS

Alabama wide receiver Jermaine Burton (3) makes a catch as he’s defended by Tennessee defensive back Christian Charles (14) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee won 52-49. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)AP

THE GAME / PREDICTION

Alabama looked great last week, for a half.

When they jumped ahead 21-6, it appeared the Tide had figured things out and might run roughshod through the SEC on their way to a College Football Playoff appearance.

But looks can be deceiving, and they returned to planet Earth for a shaky second half, meaning Nick Saban and the staff still have their work cut out for them, especially with the dangerous Tennessee (5-1) visiting Bryant-Denny Stadium.

The Tide and Vols will meet for the 106th time, with Bama leading the all-time series 59-38-8. They’ve won nine straight in Tuscaloosa and look to keep it that way, despite the best efforts of big-armed quarterback Joe Milton.

Jalen Milroe looked like a bonafide Heisman candidate throwing the ball downfield at times last week, but he’s still working to build consistency in the passing game, as big play receivers Jermaine Burton, Isaiah Bond, Kobe Prentice and others continue to gel. The defense will have their hands full with head coach Josh Heupel looking to dial up more schemes to test Kevin Steele’s impressive group, just as the Vols did in 2022.

But Alabama wants to right the wrong of last season and start a brand new streak. Bama has the talent and a lot of momentum heading into a bye week. If Milroe keeps improving in the pocket, Bama is just plain scary.

Prediction: Alabama 29, Tennessee 24

MORE: AL.com college football staff picks for Week 8 of 2023

Alabama cigar fan — It gets a little smoky in Bryant-Denny Stadium after an Alabama-Tennessee game. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)

VICTORY CIGARS?

If Alabama wins (and yes, we’re getting ahead of ourselves), we want to see if you celebrate with a traditional victory cigar, only if you happen to partake and feel like sharing. If you choose to light up, send your photo to [email protected], and we’ll add it to our fan gallery. But that’s obviously only if.

See 2021′s fan victory cigar gallery.

SEC NATION

The SEC Network’s weekly pregame show will hit campus on Saturday at 9-11 a.m. Catch host Laura Rutledge along with Paul Finebaum, Tim Tebow and Roman Harper as they navigate another jam-packed college football Saturday this weekend.

The stage will be set up on the lawn of Wade Hall (across University Boulevard). The show airs from 9-11 a.m. Admission is free to fans of all ages.

ESPN in Tuscaloosa: Alabama-Texas 2023 — Paul Finebaum prepares to broadcast from the University of Alabama campus. ESPN shows “College GameDay” and “SEC Nation” and their personalities take over Tuscaloosa ahead of Alabama’s home game against Texas Friday, Sept. 8, 2023. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)

THE PAUL FINEBAUM SHOW

The Paul Finebaum show will also broadcast from Wade Hall on Friday at 2-6 p.m.

MARTY & MCGEE

Marty Smith and Ryan McGee will also return to host the SEC Network’s “Marty & McGee” starting at 8 a.m. in front of Wade Hall, near the “SEC Nation” set.

WEATHER

Friday: Sunny skies with a high near 80 and a 10 percent chance of showers, followed by clear skies and an overnight low around 50.

Saturday: Sunny skies with a high near 82, followed by cloudy skies and an overnight low around 54.

Sunday: Sunny skies with a high near 75, followed by cloudy skies and an overnight low around 51.

— The National Weather Service

READ: 8 ways Alabama football home games will change for fans in 2023

The Tuska statue on the University of Alabama campus Tuesday, April 18, 2023. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)

CHAMPIONS LANE

An extension of Crimson Tide Sports Marketing’s pregame entertainment, “Champions Lane” is a new free feature that will be located to the northwest of Bryant-Denny Stadium on the lawn behind the Tuska statue and will include food trucks, a sound stage with live music, lounge with casual seating, LED videoboards for fans to watch other college football games in action, Crimson Tide student-athlete autograph tent and more. Performing at the Bud Light Backyard Concert Stage this week: Alex Butler Band (10:30 a.m.) and Restless Road (12:40 p.m.)

LOCKER ROOM TOURS / SOUVENIR TICKETS

Fans can now purchase behind-the-scenes locker room tours on Fridays before home games for $25 per person. Alabama ticketing went fully paperless during COVID in 2020, and now UA says fans can buy a souvenir printed game ticket ($15 each). They say you can inquire about both via the Crimson Tide Access program.

Alabama Football Fans Ole Miss 2021 — A shaker gets shook as Alabama and Ole Miss fans hit the “SEC Nation” set before kickoff Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)

SHAKER BINS

Fans will find shaker bins throughout the concourses of Bryant-Denny Stadium, allowing them to pick up a complimentary shaker upon entry to use for the game and return on the way out.

HONORARY CAPTAINS / AUTOGRAPH SESSIONS

For home games, honorary captains typically sign autographs at the Bryant Museum starting several hours before kickoff. They will then move to The Authentic (Alabama’s player-merchandise store), located at Gate 34 on the south end of Bryant-Denny, for another autograph session 3.5 hours prior to kickoff, which will last an hour.

Reggie Ragland and Courtney Upshaw will serve as honorary captains on Saturday.

Other autograph sessions include Alabama volleyball at11:45 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., followed by Alabama men’s basketball players Rylan Griffin, Aaron Estrada and Lattrell Wrightsell — all in the tent at Champions Lane on the north lawn of Bryant-Denny Stadium.

QUAD FOOD TRUCKS

Fans can buy something to eat at food trucks located along 6th Avenue on the Quad (near Lloyd Hall), including the following: La Mexicana, Full Moon BBQ, Jim ‘N Nick’s, Slice Pizzera, A Little Something Extra

CASH-FREE

All points of sale at Alabama athletics events for concessions and retail went cashless. Fans with cash can exchange for a Fancard in $20 increments in the stadium’s Fan Card Gift Card station.

Each location will have a team member to assist guests who require this service. UA said Fancards are a preloaded Mastercard with no activation fees. These can not only be used at stadium concessions but also anywhere Mastercard is accepted.

CONCESSIONS

Concession stands are located throughout the concourses of Bryant-Denny Stadium. Reminder: All concession transactions are cashless.

Alabama announced that five of Bryant-Denny’s highest-volume concession stands were converted to grab and go markets where fans can grab items and proceed to check out faster. Automated self-checkout kiosks will be available at several concession stands throughout the stadium, allowing fans the ability to choose the method they prefer. The site also says multiple beverage and popcorn vending options have also been added “for ease and quickness.”

Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne also tweeted in August he would soon share price reductions on concession food and drink soon, but these are not listed online yet. Fans who attended the first two home games noticed a few reductions including Denny Dogs costing $3.99, but also some increases including beers both domestic ($10.49) and premium ($11.49), each up about a buck from last year. Souvenir sodas/cups are still $9.99.

TAILGATING

Free Quad tailgating is located on the west side of the Quad. Reservations are not required. Quad tailgate supply drop-off is located on Colonial Dr. and is open during the following times: Friday at 6-8 p.m. and Saturday at 7-10 a… View the Quad drop-off map. The UA Gameday Info tent is located at the corner of 9th Avenue and University Boulevard. Fans are permitted 15 minutes to unload equipment and exit Colonial Dr.

Quad tailgate supply drop-off is located on Colonial Dr. and is open during the following times:

Friday 6-8 p.m.
Gameday 7-10 a.m.

MOBILE TICKETING

In 2020, ticketing and parking went mobile-only, providing a safe fan experience with quick and convenient entry on gameday during the pandemic. UA said mobile ticketing reduces the risk of lost, stolen or counterfeit tickets while providing the ability to easily manage, transfer or sell your tickets anytime from your smartphone, so the system will remain in effect.

You can manage their tickets on their smartphone via the Alabama Crimson Tide mobile app or online at RollTide.com/MyAccount. UA encourages fans to download their tickets before gameday. Prior to reaching the Bryant-Denny gates, fans can open their digital wallet on their smartphone, select their game tickets or parking passes, and hold their smartphone near the scanner for entry.

Alabama announced an enhancement to mobile ticketing this year called ALL-IN-1, a smart ticket that simplifies the digital wallet experience. They provided these instructions:

All season tickets, season meal passes, and season parking passes are eligible for ALL-IN-1.
Add each ALL-IN-1 ticket once per seat to your digital wallet.
After the game, ALL-IN-1 pass automatically updates to the next event in the season.
The ALL-IN-1 pass will update if tickets are transferred, and you can still transfer and manage eligible tickets from My Account.

Visit the Alabama mobile ticketing page to learn more.

TICKET TRANSFER/DONATION

UA says season ticketholders may transfer their tickets to another customer by logging into their account and selecting the specific events to transfer under the My Account page. Ticket transfers are now free. You may transfer your tickets up until kickoff.

You can also electronically donate your season tickets back to Alabama Athletics. The tickets will then be donated to those fans who don’t normally receive an opportunity to attend an Alabama athletics event. Ticket donation is free. You may donate your tickets up until 48 hours prior to any event.

STADIUM ENTRY / CLEAR BAG POLICY

Bryant-Denny Stadium has a 360-degree security perimeter. UA encourages fans to queue at the first public security checkpoints located around the stadium. Once inside the security perimeter, navigate to the gate indicated on your ticket. There are six public security checkpoints located around the stadium, which allow guests to navigate to any ticketed gate after clearing security.

UA has walk-through metal detectors at all gates of Bryant-Denny Stadium. Fans do not need to remove shoes or belts to walk through the metal detectors.

Alabama also enforces a clear bag policy in the interest of public safety and to expedite entry into Bryant-Denny Stadium. The only non-clear plastic bag fans can bring into Bryant-Denny is a small clutch purse no larger than 4 1/2 inches-by-6 1/2 inches. If any larger, the bags must be clear and plastic. Fans can also bring in one-gallon clear plastic freezer bags, similar to Ziploc bags you buy at the grocery store. Learn more about the clear bag policy.

TRAFFIC

UA has provided four clearly defined routes designed to provide fans with the most time-efficient ways to and from campus. Read their pregame and postgame traffic maps.

The Cottondale and 216 routes are best for fans traveling from Birmingham and parking on the east side of campus.

The I-359 route is best for fans traveling from Birmingham or west of Tuscaloosa and parking downtown or on the west side of campus.

The McFarland route is best for fans traveling from Birmingham and parking on the east side of campus.

Construction on I-20/59 is complete. There are now three lanes through exit 73, McFarland Blvd.

Construction on Lurleen B. Wallace Blvd. north and south is complete. There are now three lanes through downtown for fans utilizing the I-359/Downtown Tuscaloosa route.

Core campus roadblocks are established 4 hours prior to kickoff
Core campus roadblocks will be enforced at 10:30 a.m.
Campus roadblocks do not affect public parking areas
Fans are encouraged to use the McFarland Route to campus
Rideshare pickup/drop-off is available at two locations on campus

PARKING

UA parking lots open at 7 a.m. Crimson Ride shuttles are free from the east campus parking areas. Begins at 7 a.m., concludes 90 minutes post-game. For more parking information, visit the UA Gameday website.

Public parking is $35 per game.
Accessible parking spaces are available in public parking lots. Accessible parking spaces are also available in the Transit Hub Deck on Saturday.
Lots open at 7 a.m. on gameday.
Free shuttle service from public parking is provided to & from the Quad. All shuttles are accessible.
Shuttle service begins at 7 a.m. on Gameday and concludes 90 minutes postgame.