Third Saturday in October: What to do before the Alabama-Tennessee game
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One of college football's most storied rivalries comes to Tuscaloosa this weekend for the game known as the Third Saturday in October.
The University of Alabama will host the University of Tennessee at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. Saturday, with CBS televising.
Here's a look at some of the activities that will surround the game:
![Tennessee head coach Butch Jones reacts to a catch and run for a first down by Alabama wide receiver Calvin Ridley (3) in Bryant-Denny Stadium Saturday, October 21, 2017. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/YUBTaJZvfKEKSn9P.BF67w--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY5MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-tuscaloosa-news/24f3503797449498848c33dd34d447fb)
Pregame entertainment
The SEC Network's pregame shows will begin broadcasting at 8 a.m. near Wade Hall with the Marty and McGee show. SEC Nation, featuring Laura Rutledge, Paul Finebaum, Roman Harper, Jordan Rodgers and Tim Tebow, will begin broadcasting at 9 a.m.
Champions Lane, a pregame entertainment area, will open at 10:30 a.m. northwest of Bryant-Denny Stadium on the lawn behind the Tuska statue.
Fans can get autographs from UA volleyball team beginning at 11:45 a.m., while at 12:30 p.m. Rylan Griffen, Aaron Estrada and Latrell Wrightsell from the UA men's basketball team will sign autographs.
A free concert will feature Alex Butler from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. and Restless Road from 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m.
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 12:30 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.
The Elephant Stomp, a pregame pep rally featuring elephant mascot Big Al, the Million Dollar Band and UA cheerleaders, will begin at 1:30 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.
Honorary game captains
Two linebackers who played on national championship teams at UA will serve as honorary game captains: Courtney Upshaw and Reggie Ragland.
At UA, Upshaw earned first team All-SEC and All-American honors in 2011. During his rookie year in the NFL, he played on the Baltimore Ravens' Super Bowl championship team.
At UA, Ragland was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year and was a unanimous All-American selection in 2015 and twice earned first team All-SEC honors. In the NFL, Ragland played on the Kansas City Chiefs' 2019 Super Bowl championship team.
Upshaw and Ragland will sign autographs beginning at 11:15 a.m. inside the Authentic, the team retail store, at Gate 34 at the stadium.
Inside the stadium
The gates at Bryant-Denny Stadium will open at 12:30 p.m.
A pregame flyover is scheduled by the 74th Fighter Squadron from Moody Air Force Base in Georgia. The pregame flag recipient will be Army Col. John Knightstep.
At the end of the first quarter, UA's SEC champion cross-country team will be honored and at halftime NCAA champion swimmer Kensey McMahon will be recognized.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Rocky Top and Roll Tide: Things to do before Alabama-Tennessee game
