As an exiled member of Bulldog Nation, it is always a big deal when I get to travel to an away game. Because of my current location, the easiest games to get to are those where the Dawgs travel west to play an SEC West opponent. This means I've been to every SEC West venue and have picked up a few things along the way. I'm heading to Tuscaloosa this weekend and wanted to give those of you who maybe going there for the first time a heads up about a few things.
1) Bama Bangs - As detailed by Clay Travis, there is only one hairstyle for Alabama males under thirty. It's Bama Bangs, here demonstrated by John Parker Wilson:
When I was in high school, I admit that I wore the Bama Bangs. At some point though, the hair begins to either annoy the wearer's forehead or it causes insurmountable neck problems from the constant head swinging/flipping used by Bama Bangers to adjust their hair without touching it. UGA frat boys have a version of Bama Bangs they often wear, but UGA Bangs are usually cut before they completely cover the wearer's eyebrows. This weekend, when someone yells at you about your red pants, tell them their bangs are bangin'. It is highly probable that they are head flipping at that very moment.
2) If you have tickets in the Georgia section, be glad. It would seem that one of the traditions of the Alabama student section is throwing their bourbon drink when the Tide scores. A crucial touchdown elicits a shower of amber liquid and plastic cups. Is it that easy to get large quantities of alcohol in the stadium?
3) I've attended a number of Alabama games in Tuscaloosa and I'm constantly amazed at the lack of emotion when the crowd leaves a game. You really can't tell if they won or lost by looking at the fans walking down those long, circular ramps. An Alabama friend of mine called it "The Hush." To me it sounds like some sort of fan purgatory, constantly expecting victory so that when it arrives it is not a cause for joy, so that the only surprise is defeat. I suppose the expectation of eternal glory is every Bama fan's notional birthright, but from the outside it seems a bit sad that they can't really enjoy an unexpected win. Let's hope they don't get a chance to prove me wrong after Saturday's game.
There are a few serious things you need to see in Tuscaloosa:
1) Bama Bangs - As detailed by Clay Travis, there is only one hairstyle for Alabama males under thirty. It's Bama Bangs, here demonstrated by John Parker Wilson:
When I was in high school, I admit that I wore the Bama Bangs. At some point though, the hair begins to either annoy the wearer's forehead or it causes insurmountable neck problems from the constant head swinging/flipping used by Bama Bangers to adjust their hair without touching it. UGA frat boys have a version of Bama Bangs they often wear, but UGA Bangs are usually cut before they completely cover the wearer's eyebrows. This weekend, when someone yells at you about your red pants, tell them their bangs are bangin'. It is highly probable that they are head flipping at that very moment.2) If you have tickets in the Georgia section, be glad. It would seem that one of the traditions of the Alabama student section is throwing their bourbon drink when the Tide scores. A crucial touchdown elicits a shower of amber liquid and plastic cups. Is it that easy to get large quantities of alcohol in the stadium?
3) I've attended a number of Alabama games in Tuscaloosa and I'm constantly amazed at the lack of emotion when the crowd leaves a game. You really can't tell if they won or lost by looking at the fans walking down those long, circular ramps. An Alabama friend of mine called it "The Hush." To me it sounds like some sort of fan purgatory, constantly expecting victory so that when it arrives it is not a cause for joy, so that the only surprise is defeat. I suppose the expectation of eternal glory is every Bama fan's notional birthright, but from the outside it seems a bit sad that they can't really enjoy an unexpected win. Let's hope they don't get a chance to prove me wrong after Saturday's game.
There are a few serious things you need to see in Tuscaloosa:
- The Bear Museum - A holy shrine to all things right and good about the Crimson Tide.
- Denny Chimes - It's the trademark building of Alabama's campus. To give you an idea of where the priorities in Bama are, the sidewalks below the Chimes have the hand and cleat prints of all of Alabama's football captains.
- The north entrance to Bryant-Denny Stadium - This is the new addition to the stadium and it is palatial. The area outside the addition is an homage to former coaches who brought glory on the Tide, including the Bear (he's a big deal there). Bama does their rendition of the Dawg Walk here called the "Walk of Champions" (That name isn't so special because Ole Miss has a Walk of Champions too).
Quinton
