Teams return to lockerrooms

November 29, 2008

By Jon Johnson

The Alabama football team heads into the lockerroom as fans sing along to Sweet Home Alabama. The Auburn team is completing warm-up drills.
No rain, just lots of fog.
Wes Byrum kicks through a field goal as Auburn finishes wramups, which means to me Byrum will kick today for the Tigers.
Auburn now breaks huddle and heads into the lockerroom. Lots of boos.
It’s getting close.

And your starting lineups

By Jon Johnson

The PA announcer is now barking out the starting lineups. As the Tigers are announced, there’s very little reaction.
As the Bama lineup is shown, the home-standing Tide fans are getting into it.
Biggest cheers come for Javier Arenas, Rashad Johnson, Antoine Caldwell, Andre Smith, Julio Jones and John Parker Wilson.
Fog is starting to roll into the stadium.
Sweet Home Alabama is now being played.
27 minutes until kickoff.

Coaches meet

By Jon Johnson

Tommy Tuberville and Nick Saban meet near midfield 40 minutes before kickoff.
The visit was brief, with each patting the other on the shoulder after a short conversation.
Both teams are now out on the field working. All of the Tide is out there now, as is the Auburn offense. The Tiger defense will be out shortly.

One hour until kickoff

By Jon Johnson

Alabama’s kickers are now out on the field, as are the Auburn quarterbacks.
One hour until kickoff and the stadium is starting to fill up.
Still extremely overcast here, but no rain at the moment.
Here comes members of the Alabama offense onto the field.
Cheers from Alabama. The Auburn band starts playing.
Now the Bama band starts playing at the same time.
It’s going to be loud here very, very soon.

AU kickers, Tide band coming in

By Jon Johnson

The Auburn kickers are now out on the field practicing, just over an hour before kickoff. Wes Byrum, who has been injured, is warming up. I expect he will get the first crack at the kicking duties today.
The Alabama band is making its way into the stadium. The Auburn band is already in place in the stands.
The excitment builds.