Bryant-Denny Stadium is going to be loud on Saturday. Alabama football’s home is far noisier than Western Kentucky is used to. Especially after Nick Saban put out the call for rowdier crowds last season, the home of the Crimson Tide can be deafening, especially compared to the 22,113-capacity Houchens-Smith Stadium the Hilltoppers play in.

Between that and the roster talent gap that’s so obvious in most buy games between Power Four and Group of Five teams, it’ll be an uphill climb for WKU. However, college football had a rule change for this fall that could make dealing with loud atmospheres just a touch easier.

“When you go to a place like Alabama, you’re trying to give yourself the best chance for success,” Western Kentucky head coach Tyson Helton said in a one-on-one interview with AL.com on Tuesday. “And if we can do it the right way, I think it’ll give us an opportunity to try to put our guys in a good situation.”

The “it” Helton referred to is two technological advancements now made legal. First off, coaches can communicate in the helmets of one offensive and one defensive player, eliminating some of the need for signs on the sideline.

When the fans are making things difficult, coaches can also offer instructions beyond just the playcall. Throughout the offseason, new Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer spoke about the struggle to find balance between providing too much information and not speaking at all.

It was a challenge Helton echoed.

“We kind of pick our spots and try to train the quarterback in how we want things to go and let him handle it,” Helton said. “I talk all the time, he has the keys to the Ferrari so he kind of gets to do his thing out there based upon the game plan. But I do think it helps to have hat set of eyes looking maybe where he’s not looking, or seeing some things that he’s not seeing, that you can help direct him.”

Teams are also allowed to have tablets on the sideline now. They can utilize them for pulling up replays, showing players film between drives.

The SEC will have iPads on the sideline for each of its teams during games after partnering with Apple. Western Kentucky will also use the technology.

Helton was excited for the move, noting it would give coaches a real-time tool to make adjustments.

“I think it brings the coach back into the game, where he is now so, so important,” Helton said. “Coaches have been important, but now they’re really, really important, particularly on the offensive side of the football, because you’re playing a chess match. To be able to utilize those technologies, being able to make adjustments on the run, all that adds up.”

Alabama is still favored by more than 30 points. But every little bit helps, if utilized correctly.

The Crimson Tide and Hilltoppers are scheduled to kick off at 6:05 p.m. CT Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be aired on ESPN.