The Iron Bowl of football is upon us.
You can take one of Alabama’s biggest rivalries away from us, but not the big one. Don’t do it, pandemic.
As of now, the greatest rivalry in all of sports is set to kick off in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, with heavily favored Alabama hosting the Auburn Tigers, marking the final home game of this unusual 2020 season. We did learn this week that Nick Saban tested positive for COVID-19, sidelining him for Saturday’s game. We want to wish him a speedy recovery.
As for what to expect on Saturday, here’s what you need to know about the Tide’s next gameday at the Capstone, including the COVID-19 restrictions you need to know about. Also: Here is UA Gameday’s official page of 2020 information on how Saturdays will work. And AL.com’s Michael Casagrande has a helpful story on how different Alabama football will feel from tailgating to enforcing mask rules.
WILL CALL: 10:30 a.m.
GATES OPEN: Noon
WALK OF CHAMPIONS: 12:30 p.m. (See below for more information)
KICKOFF: 2:30 p.m.
TV: CBS
WEATHER
Friday: Sunny skies with a high near 70 and a 40 percent chance of showers, followed by cloudy skies with an overnight low around 51 and a 60 percent chance of rain.
Saturday: Sunny skies with a high near 65, followed by cloudy skies with an overnight low around 49 and a 20 percent chance of rain.
Sunday: Showers with a high near 62, followed by cloudy skies and an overnight low around 40 and a 60 percent chance of rain.
-- The National Weather Service
11/21/20 MFB vs Kentucky Alabama quarterback Mac Jones (10) Alabama runningback Brian Robinson Jr. (4) Photo by Crimson Tide PhotoCrimson Tide Photos / UA Athletics
THE GAME!
The top-ranked Crimson Tide scored a monster 63-3 win over Kentucky in Bryant-Denny last Saturday after two weeks off due to a bye and a postponement. The Bama offense took a series or two to get going, but once they did, they let it fly. The Bama defense was dominant after the Wildcats were able to move it down the field during the first couple of possessions.
Also off for two weeks, Auburn followed up their dominant win over LSU with an impressive victory at home against Tennessee, giving them needed momentum as they travel to Tuscaloosa.
In last year’s 48-45 thriller, Gus Malzahn’s squad hung on for his third win against Nick Saban, costing Bama a trip to the College Football Playoff. Despite throwing two pick-sixes, quarterback Mac Jones had an excellent day passing, matching Auburn’s own explosive offense at nearly every step, until it was too late and an illegal substitution penalty clinched it for the Tigers.
But it’s a new year, and Alabama comes in heavily favored Saturday. Will that matter? You know Auburn gets up for every Iron Bowl. Can the Tide avoid mistakes this year and put away the Tigers to stay undefeated? Can two-loss Auburn salvage theirs and give their coach an incredible fourth win against his in-state counterpart? We can’t wait to find out.
RELATED: Iron Bowl games ranked: Grading the Nick Saban/Gus Malzahn era
Nick Saban waves to fans during the pregame Walk of Champions. Alabama and Kentucky fans gather at the Walk of Champions and other campus spots ahead of kickoff in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)
SABAN’S STATUS
Nick Saban tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday and was ruled out for Saturday’s game. As Michael Casagrande reports, for the first time in Saban’s career, he’ll be somewhere other than the stadium when Alabama kicks off with Auburn.
Saban will watch the game from home and is not allowed have any communication with players or coaches during the game or at halftime, according to NCAA rules.
Offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, previously the head coach at USC and Washington, will step in to lead the Tide from the sideline on Saturday.
As for his symptoms, Saban said he has a bit of a head cold, runny nose and an occasional cough but doesn’t feel too bad.
The Quad has been empty all season long with the tailgating ban in effect. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)
TAILGATING
Tailgating is not permitted on the UA campus during the 2020 season. Only one Saturday left of no tailgating on gamedays for the foreseeable future, we hope.
On RollTide.com: “In accordance with CDC, state and local guidelines relating to social distancing and large gatherings, tailgating will not be permitted on The University of Alabama campus for the 2020 football season.”
Alabama officials ask anyone without a ticket to avoid coming down to the stadium and its neighborhood to limit the congregation of crowds, according to AL.com. Enforcing the ban will be the combination of contracted security workers and the university’s police department, said UA Associate Director of Event Management Nick Frenz, with roaming patrols beginning early Saturday mornings well before kickoff. Parking lots won’t open until 11:30 a.m., with gates opening 2.5 hours before the games.
RELATED: Everything we’ll miss about tailgating in 2020
Alabama and Kentucky fans gather at the Walk of Champions and other campus spots ahead of kickoff in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)
WALK OF CHAMPIONS
The pregame ritual of watching the team walk into Bryant Denny Stadium will look different this year, as in you’ll have to watch from a distance. As usual, the team will get dropped off at the stadium two hours before kickoff. Normally, fans flank the Walk of Champions area as Nick Saban and the team stroll into the stadium, but during the 2020 season, those sections will be roped off and there won’t be a place to stand near the walk as a safety measure. So you still get to see the team looking all cool walking in to the sound of AC/DC’s “Thunderstruck,” just from a roped-off area several yards further away.
STADIUM ENTRY
Gates will open at noon on Saturday.
Upon arriving at the security area, fans will be queued in a line for the metal detectors. Markers will be placed at 6-foot intervals to help maintain social distancing, and signage will be displayed to encourage fans to social distance.
All gates have been renumbered at Bryant-Denny Stadium, so fans are encouraged to check your ticket for the appropriate gate number before arriving at the security area. See the gate number changes here.
UA says each ticketholder will be required to conduct a COVID-19 “self-assessment” prior to entry. Anyone who has COVID-19 symptoms, has been exposed to someone who is positive and/or has been directed by a healthcare professional to be in quarantine or isolation will not be allowed entry.
In the interest of continued safety for fans, student-athletes, coaches and game day personnel, UA will continue to use walk-through metal detectors at all gates of Bryant-Denny Stadium on gamedays for the 2019 season.
STADIUM CAPACITY
In compliance with CDC and state public health guidance, seating in Bryant-Denny Stadium for the 2020 Alabama football season will be social-distanced resulting in approximately 20 percent seating capacity.
Student ticket allotment was 20 percent of the reduced capacity or around 4,000 seats, and it comes with a gamble.
Alabama and Kentucky fans gather at the Walk of Champions and other campus spots ahead of kickoff in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)
MASKS / PPE / CONCESSIONS
All fans are required to wear a face covering upon entering Bryant-Denny Stadium. If you do not have a face covering, you will be provided with a disposable mask. Face coverings are to be worn throughout the stadium unless eating and/or drinking.
All working staff will be required to wear a face covering and/or a face shield.
Hand sanitizing stations will be available at each entry gate and throughout the stadium.
Ticket scanners will stand behind Plexiglass shields.
All concession stands will be open, with every other register operational and fitted with a Plexiglass screen. limited menu of prepackaged food will be available for sale in addition to water and soft drinks. All condiments will be in pre-portioned packaging.
Staff members will wear masks or other facial coverings at all times, and high customer contact areas will be cleaned every two hours.
PARKING
Public parking is available on a game-by-game basis for fans with tickets for $30 at the Campus Drive Deck, located at the corner of Hackberry Lane and Campus Drive East.
Disability parking is available to fans with tickets and a valid disability placard/tag for $30 at the Tutwiler Deck.
Parking lots will open three hours prior to kickoff.
RVs will not be permitted on campus during the 2020 season.
Crimson Ride Shuttles will not operate during the 2020 season.
To reduce the number of touchpoints, all parking passes for the 2020 season will be mobile, according to UA Gameday operations. Parking passes will be delivered electronically via mobile delivery. Customers will receive an email from the Alabama Athletics Tide Pride/Ticket Office, which will include a link to download their parking pass to their digital wallet. On gameday, customers will present their smartphone to be scanned upon entry to the parking lot.
The Strip, a few hours before kickoff. Alabama football fans don masks and begin to gather at Bryant-Denny Stadium ahead of kickoff against Georgia in Tuscaloosa Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020. (Ben Flanagan / AL.com)
TRAFFIC
Pregame: Road construction continues on Interstate 20/59. There is a lane split beginning near exit 77. UA encourages fans to use the right lane for the preferred route to campus, exit 73 onto McFarland Boulevard.
Postgame: Fans parked on the east side of campus can use McFarland Boulevard to I-20/59. Fans on the west side of campus should take University Boulevard or Bryant Drive to I-359.
Visit the UA Gameday Operations website for extensive tips on traveling to and from Tuscaloosa on Saturdays. You’ll find pregame and post-game traffic maps that should help you find our way in and around campus and town.
Due to construction in high-traffic areas, UA recommends adding an extra 30 minutes to your schedule in case of any potential delays.
Construction on Lurleen B. Wallace Boulevard North and South through downtown Tuscaloosa is now complete.
FORBIDDEN ITEMS
Keep in mind there are everyday items -- including umbrellas -- you cannot bring with you into Bryant-Denny Stadium. These include unclear bags/purses, chair backs larger than a single seat (16 inches), strollers, flags/banners on poles.
Medical bags or special medical equipment can be screened at any security entrance, according to UA. Guests that have these items should report to the gate designated on their ticket and identify their need to the security personnel working the metal detectors.
See the 17 things you can’t bring into the stadium.
Learn about University of Alabama Gameday Operations rules on the school’s event website.
BRYANT MUSEUM
The Paul W. Bryant Museum has reopened in Tuscaloosa for the 2020 season.
The museum, which closed in mid-March due to the coronavirus, is open Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. It will be closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
A limited amount of tickets will be sold every 30 minutes to ensure capacity in the exhibit hall remains at a safe amount. Visitors must secure their tickets online before arriving at the museum. Admission for members and children under 6 is free. Admission costs $2 for adults, $1 for senior citizens and children ages 6-17. Admission is free for students with an ACT card. Learn more at bryantmuseum.com.
Alabama: Stay up to date before, during and after the game by following AL.com’s Michael Casagrande, Matt Zenitz, Mike Rodak, aldotcomTide or aldotcomSports on Twitter.
You can also follow UAGameday on Twitter for constant updates about this weekend’s festivities.
Auburn: Stay up to date before, during and after the game by following AL.com’s Tom Green, Giana Han and Matt Zenitz, aldotcomTigers or aldotcomSports on Twitter.
WILL CALL
The Will Call window will open at 10:30 a.m. and is located between Gates 32 and 33 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. All gates open at noon.
LINKS YOU MIGHT LIKE
Welcome to an Iron Bowl week like none other
What to watch when Alabama hosts Auburn in Iron Bowl
How Nick Saban will watch the Iron Bowl from home
Auburn can upset Alabama with or without Nick Saban
A fretful season turns again with Nick Saban out for Iron Bowl
Paul Finebaum on Alabama-Auburn without Nick Saban: ‘I don’t think it’s going to have a big impact’
No Saban on sideline is no big deal against outmanned Auburn
Iron Bowl games ranked: Grading the Nick Saban/Gus Malzahn era
Iron Bowl top plays: The 10 best of the Nick Saban/Gus Malzahn rivalry
Auburn-Alabama rivalry transcends Iron Bowl, draws athletics program together
How Najee Harris learned about the Iron Bowl after growing up outside its clutch
Gus Malzahn describes the pattern of success against Alabama
What’s changed with how teams defend Mac Jones
The story behind the wild 2019 Iron Bowl’s lasting image
Iron Bowl betting: Healthy Tank Bigsby key to covering spread
What Gus Malzahn said about Iron Bowl on ‘Tiger Talk’
AL.com’s Week 10 SEC power rankings
Does Alabama finally have a good kicker and could it help in Iron Bowl?
Eli Gold endures pain, surgeries to broadcast Alabama games
Listen to "Bammers," AL.com's new Alabama football fan culture podcast.
‘BAMMERS’ PODCAST
“Bammers,” the podcast from AL.com that takes you inside the minds of Alabama football fans, is available to download on all platforms. The show focuses on fans’ obsession with the Crimson Tide and the lengths at which they’ll go with their fandom. Guests include like Paul Finebaum, Tim Brando, Laura Rutledge, Marcus Spears, Cecil Hurt, Warren St. John, Conrad Thompson, John Parker Wilson and Alabama football fans across the world. There are 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, Sticher, or wherever else you get your podcasts. Listen to every episode!
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See last week’s photos from the Alabama-Kentucky pregame scene in Tuscaloosa in the gallery above.
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