The first Gameday

You've had a strange feeling all week. A tingling sensation runs through your whole body. It gets stronger and stronger the closer you get to your first game in college. You weren't a starter, but it was still an indescribable feeling. Your very first game is a home game. Bryant-Denny Stadium is sure to be nearly sold out with over 100,000 people and if you can get on the field and deliver, all eyes will be on you.

You go out of your way to avoid talking to Bryce before the game. Even in the dressing room, you felt his eyes on you, but you didn't let on. During the captains' announcements, the tingling sensation grew, but when the doors opened and Coach Nick Saban led the team out of the locker room, you felt as if the team was pouring into the tunnel like an unstoppable wave onto the field. Your head was suddenly clear and there was no trace of that tingling sensation, just that incorruptible feeling of strength and pride. In your ears roared Thunderstruck by AC/DC and a cheer of thousands of people. You made your first step.

Your family is watching the game on TV. Sean McDonough and Todd Blackledge are the reporters.

"Welcome to the season opener with the Utah State vs. Alabama game. So far, the game isn't going quite the way Coach Saban wants it to. It's still 0 - 0, but neither Alabama nor Utah State is getting a handle on the opposing offense. Both sides are just capitalizing on each other's mistakes right now."