You did not need to adjust your television screen. The Bryant-Denny Stadium playing surface was, in fact, chewed up and that fact is not lost on leadership.

Following the 2024 Alabama A-Day game on ESPN, Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne spoke briefly with AL.com about the state of the turf.

“We’re very aware of it,” Byrne said, “and we will address it.”

The Saturday spring game was the first event played on the playing surface since the AHSAA Super 7. That involved all seven classes of high school state championships plus girl’s flag football played Dec. 6-8.

Before the 2023 visit, 2020 was the most recent Super 7 rotation in Tuscaloosa. The Bryant-Denny Stadium playing surface for the 2021 A-Day Game wasn’t quite as damaged.

The middle of the natural grass surface appeared new Saturday but large sections outside of the hashmarks was as much painted dirt as healthy grass.

“I feel like, in the spring, it’s always tough to play on,” Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore said. “It’s not like it would be on Aug. 31 but in the season, the grass is fine. I think it’s the best grass I play on, for real.”

Alabama opens the 2024 regular season Aug. 31 with Western Kentucky in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook