Big game buzz: What to do before Alabama and Texas kick off

Football fans take note: This isn't Tuscaloosa's first rodeo.

But there's no question, the buzz surrounding the Saturday night Alabama-Texas matchup has reached epic proportions, even for a city that has hosted plenty of big games.

Here's a guide to all the hoopla before the 6 p.m. kickoff at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Lights, camera ...

ESPN's “College GameDay” will broadcast live from Denny Chimes beginning at 8 a.m. Rece Davis hosts the three-hour show joined by analysts Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Pat McAfee and others. The show's guest picker will be Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath, who played college ball at Alabama. Country music duo Dan + Shay will provide musical entertainment as part of the show.

Meanwhile, SEC Nation, the SEC Network's pregame show, will broadcast live from 10 a.m. until noon at Wade Hall on the UA campus. Laura Rutledge hosts the show, which includes commentary by Paul Finebaum, Roman Harper, Jordan Rodgers, Tim Tebow and others.

Pregame entertainment

Champions Lane, a pregame entertainment area, will open at noon northwest of Bryant-Denny Stadium on the lawn behind the Tusk statue.

The area includes a sound stage, food trucks from World of Beer and Texas Roadhouse, a lounge with casual seating, LED videoboards for fans to watch other college football games in progress, an autograph tent and more.

Taylor Hicks, the winner of the fifth season of "American Idol," will give a free concert beginning at 4 p.m. at Champions Lane.

Fans can also visit the Nissan Heisman House, featuring former UA quarterback AJ McCarron from 3-5 p.m.

Autograph opportunities include the UA gymnastics team at 2:30 p.m. and UA basketball team members Nick Pringle, Mark Sears and Jarin Stevenson at 4 p.m. at the Alabama Department of Public Health tent.

Honorary game captain Donta Hightower will sign autographs beginning at 3:15 p.m. at the T-Mobile tent at Champions Lane, while Marcell Dareus, the other honorary game captain, will sign autographs beginning at 2:30 p.m. in The Authentic store at Gate 34 of the stadium.

Elsewhere, ABC 33/40 meteorologist James Spann will sell exclusive merchandise and autographed copies of his books from noon until 3 p.m. at Strange Brew Coffeehouse, 1101 University Blvd.

Walk of Champions/Elephant Stomp

Two of UA's most popular pre-game rituals take place within walking distance of Bryant-Denny Stadium, the Walk of Champions and the Elephant Stomp.

Fans can cheer the UA football players, Saban and the UA coaching staff members as they arrive by bus for the game at 4 p.m. along the Walk of Champions on the north side of the stadium. That's the side of the stadium that also includes statues of Alabama national championship coaches — Paul W. "Bear" Bryant, Nick Saban, Gene Stallings Frank Thomas and Wallace Wade — along with Tuska, the 24-foot tall, 7-ton elephant sculpture.

The Elephant Stomp, a pregame pep rally featuring elephant mascot Big Al, the Million Dollar Band and UA cheerleaders, will begin at 5 p.m. at the Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library. The band will play the school fight song, "Yea Alabama," and then march down Colonial Drive, leading Crimson Tide fans into the stadium.

Inside the stadium

The gates at Bryant-Denny Stadium will open at 4 p.m.

A pregame flyover is scheduled by the 2nd Bomb Wing from Barksdale Air Force Base in Bossier, Louisiana. The pregame flag recipient will be retired Army Staff Sgt. Grant McGarry.

The 2022-23 UA basketball team will be presented with SEC championship rings between the first and second quarters.

At halftime, U.S. Amateur Golf champion Nick Dunlap will be recognized.

Reach Ken Roberts at ken.roberts@tuscaloosanews.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Pregame rush: What to do before Alabama-Texas game kicks off