Alabama fans circled this one on the calendar a long time ago. Jimbo Fisher’s Texas A&M Aggies visit Tuscaloosa this week for a hug SEC West showdown, with the Tide looking to avenge last year’s lone regular season loss.

The weather forecast looks perfect for a college football Saturday at the Capstone, so let’s everyone enjoy ourselves for what looks like an all-day affair with the Tide playing in primetime on CBS.

There are Bryant-Denny Stadium changes: What Alabama fans should know for 2022, including the introduction of alcohol sales in the venue. Here’s what you need to know about gameday at the Capstone this week.

READ: Alabama football bucket list: 25 things every Crimson Tide fan should do once

GATES OPEN: 4:30 p.m.

WALK OF CHAMPIONS: 5 p.m.

ELEPHANT STOMP: 6 p.m.

KICKOFF: 7 p.m.

TV: CBS

WEATHER

Friday: Sunny skies with a high near 84, followed by clear skies and an overnight low around 54.

Saturday: Sunny skies with a high near 76, followed by clear skies and an overnight low around 46.

Sunday: Sunny skies with a high near 77, followed by clear skies and an overnight low around 50.

— The National Weather Service

THE GAME!

How did the hype for this game lose its luster? As soon as Jimbo Fisher went off on Nick Saban back in May, everyone immediately circled Oct. 8 on the schedule and braced for another mega-showdown game of the century-like atmosphere. We predicted ESPN’s “College GameDay” and/or SEC Network’s “SEC Nation” would settle on campus to preview an absolute showdown Saban and his former assistant Fisher.

Perhaps it’s because they insisted it’s all water under the bridge. Or perhaps it’s because the Aggies lost to Appalachian State and Mississippi State, and this game doesn’t have the same oomph we thought it did preseason.

Regardless, it’s a big game. Alabama looks to stay undefeated and avenge the 2021 loss in College Station, the Tide’s only regular season blemish on their way to the College Football Playoff. Bama is a big favorite, says Vegas, but what did that mean last year when A&M punched them in the mouth and walked away with an upset victory? Saban once again reminded us of all the rat poison that can distract his team heading into a game everyone else expects them to win. The Aggies can save their season with a win in Tuscaloosa. Alabama cannot focus on revenge or Jimbo and Saban’s summer spat.

Besides, the Tide may not even have their starting quarterback under center as Bryce Young recovers from a shoulder injury suffered against Arkansas. Will Jalen Milroe get his first career start? Will we see more fireworks from Jahmyr Gibbs? Will Texas A&M have another fast start against Pete Golding’s defense? We’ll find out under the lights Saturday night.

CASH-FREE

Beginning in 2022, all points of sale at Alabama athletics events for concessions and retail will be cashless. Fans with cash can exchange for a Fancard in $20 increments in two locations in the stadium: Lower Level (first Floor), Section AA (near Concession S126); and Upper Level (eighth Floor), Section NN-8 (near Concession N804).

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.

ALCOHOL SALES

Alabama Athletics now sells beer and wine at select sporting events.

The majority of concessions locations offer beer and wine, and additional portable stations are set up on the 100, 200 and 800-level concourses. Guests must be 21 to purchase and show valid proof of identification. IDs are checked at time of purchase, and there is a limit of two alcoholic beverages per transaction. Sales of beer and wine concludes at the completion of the third quarter.

UA said alcohol purchased in the stadium concourses cannot be brought into or out of a premium seating area, and all alcohol purchased at sporting events must be consumed at the venue and may not be carried out “under any circumstances.”

CONCESSIONS

Concession stands are located throughout the concourses of Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Crave trailer is set up along the Walk of Champions as a pre-entry dining option.

Reminder: All concession transactions will be cashless.

ASAP will be available for mobile ordering at select portables throughout 100, 200 and 800-level concourses. You can find QR codes with a link to order and pick up concessions items from your smartphone throughout the stadium.

And, folks…they have a $14 giant pretzel now. People buying and gobbling them up at the Louisiana-Monroe game, so if you want to indulge, grab one early.

TAILGATING

Tailgating on the Quad is allowed in 2022. 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 a.m. until noon (for Texas A&M). Fans are permitted 15 minutes to unload equipment and exit Colonial Drive. View the Quad drop-off map. The UA Gameday Info tent is located at the corner of 9th Avenue and University Boulevard.

FOOD VENDORS

You can find the following food trucks along 6th Avenue on campus this Saturday:

• Jim ‘N Nick’s
• Full Mon BBQ
• A Little Some Extra
• La Mexicana
• Honey’s Kitchen

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 will reduce 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.

UA noted that “Print-at-Home” tickets (PDF copies) are no longer available, and mobile tickets are only valid when presented on a smartphone. Printed copies of QR codes will not be accepted. If you do not have a smartphone, you can contact the Alabama Athletics TIDE PRIDE/Ticket Office before gamedays for options.

TICKET TRANSFER

UA also announced some new upgrades to mobile ticketing in 2022. The transfer process will now allow you to utilize your phone contacts when transferring tickets through the Alabama Crimson Tide mobile app. Also, there will no longer be a transfer expiration, and you have the ability to better track your transfers with a first and last name associated with all transfers. Ticket purchasers can also quick download their game tickets by using our new “Add All” feature.

Ticketholders can transfer their tickets to someone in the event they are unable to attend a game. Ticketholders (excluding UA faculty/staff and students) can still post their tickets on StubHub.

METAL DETECTORS / CLEAR BAG POLICY

UA will have 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 will also continue to enforce its clear bag policy in the interest of public safety and to significantly 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.

COOLING STATIONS

It’s beginning to cool off now that autumn has arrived, but seasoned Alabamians know we’re not out of the woods yet. UA wants to help you stay cool on gamedays. Cooling stations will include water monsters, fans, shaded seating, sunscreen and first aid staff are located at the following locations:

• Lower Level (first Floor) Sections G, AA & LL
• Lower Level (second Floor) Sections D, K, BB & MM
• Upper Level (eighth Floor) Section SS-10 First Aid Room

Water Monsters featuring 150-gallon tanks of cold filtered water are located throughout Bryant-Denny Stadium to assist fans in staying cool and hydrated. Fans are permitted to bring empty, non-glass, bottles/cups inside to fill up at the various water stations. Small cups will also be provided next to the canister.

• Lower Level (first Floor): Sections G, LL, AA & Gates 7, 30, 38 & 59
• Lower Level (second Floor): Sections D, K, BB, MM, S-8
• Upper Level (eighth Floor): Sections NN-1, NN-14, SS-1, SS-14

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.

Beginning three hours prior to kickoff, or earlier if deemed necessary by law enforcement, the core campus area will be closed to through traffic. A proper UA Gameday permit is required to access the restricted area. The core of campus will be re-opened approximately 2.5 hours postgame. Learn more.

Interstate 20/59 construction has been completed and should not interfere with gameday traffic for the 2022 football season. Jack Warner Parkway is closed at Greensboro Avenue for the season. UA encourages fans leaving campus via Jack Warner Parkway to travel eastbound and utilize McFarland Boulevard to I-20/59.

Jack Warner Parkway is closed at Greensboro Avenue for the 2022 season. Fans leaving campus via Jack Warner Parkway are encouraged to travel eastbound and utilize McFarland Blvd. to I-20/59.

PARKING

Public parking is located on the east side of campus and is $30 per game or $200 for the season. Fans are encouraged to purchase their parking in advance of coming to campus online. Downtown Tuscaloosa shuttle begins at 8 a.m. at the Intermodal Facility (7th Street and 23rd Avenue), where parking is free. Shuttle is $1 round trip and 50 cents for seniors. University Mall shuttle begins at 7 a.m. and is $15 round trip. Concludes one hour post-game.

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.

TUSKA

Have you snapped a selfie with Tuska yet? The elephant statue has landed. The University of Alabama recently relocated of a seven-ton, 19-foot elephant statue named Tuska to the corner of University Boulevard and Wallace Wade Avenue, where the Strip meets campus — not far from near Bryant-Denny Stadium. The statue depicts the elephant looking skyward with his two front feet slightly off the ground and trunk fully extended. It measures 19 feet, 1 inch to the tip of the trunk.

TWITTER

Stay up to date before, during and after the game by following AL.com’s Michael Casagrande, Nick Alvarez, Ben Flanagan, aldotcomTide or aldotcomSports on Twitter.

You can also follow UAGameday on Twitter for constant updates about this weekend’s festivities.

WILL CALL

The Will Call window will open at 3 p.m. and is located between Gates 32 and 33 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. All gates open at 4:30 p.m. Will Call windows were added to the northeast corner of Bryant-Denny Stadium near Gate 59, which will service both the media and visiting team player guests.

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‘BAMMERS’ PODCAST

“Bammers,” the podcast from AL.com that takes you inside the hearts and minds of Alabama football fans, is back and ready for download! The show focuses on fans’ obsession with the Crimson Tide and the lengths at which they’ll go with their fandom. You can hear more than 20 episodes that cover a variety of topics including Sidewalk Alumni, The Shula Years, RV Culture, Women who Love Alabama Football, How Alabama Fans Cope with Losing and much more. Subscribe on Acast, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever else you get your podcasts. Listen to every episode!

IMPORTANT TIMES

FRIDAY, Oct. 7

6 p.m.

Quad Drop-off

SATURDAY, Oct. 8

7 a.m.

Quad Drop-off

Parking Lots Open

Shuttle Service Begins

9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Bryant Museum open

2:15 p.m.

Autograph session with honorary captains Barrett Jones and Damion Square (Bryant Museum)

3 p.m.

Coca-Cola Kickoff Zone open

Crimson Tide Sports Network Fan Fest (Food vendors: Fat Charles BBQ, Dixieland Funnel Cakes)

Quad inflatables

4 p.m.

Autograph session with honorary captains Barrett Jones and Damion Square (Hibbett Sports Tent/Coca-Cola Kickoff Zone)

Team autographs: Alabama baseball (Denny Chimes)

Campus road closures

4:30 p.m.

Gates open

5 p.m.

Walk of Champions

6 p.m.

Elephant Stomp

7 p.m.

Kickoff vs. Texas A&M (CBS)