There’s nothing better than a Saturday game day in Tuscaloosa. Let’s be honest. There’s not.

The smell of BBQ cooking on the quad, the AC/DC song “Thunderstruck” booming in the stadium as the Alabama players make their way down the tunnel, the new LED lights in Bryant Denny Stadium and the overall atmosphere of being with over 101,000 college football fans.

It gives me chills just thinking about it.

This video also gives me chills.

But this season, it will not look like this.

Why?

Because of the coronavirus.

A virus that has taken the world by storm has wreaked havoc across the world, especially here in the United States.

It has killed many loved ones, cost many their jobs and has cancelled many sporting events since early 2020.

Within the NCAA, winter sports were the first to feel the brunt of the change when the NCAA March Madness tournament was cancelled. Then the entire spring sports season was cancelled.

And now, here we are, in July. And fall sports are now in question.

What will happen?

Will there be college football?

Will college football experience any outbreaks like the MLB has?

The questions add up, but without answers.

There’s no certainty what will happen this fall.

But let’s think as if there WILL be a football season this fall.

At this point, an SEC-only schedule will be most feasible and will follow what other conferences have decided to do. If the SEC were to decide to play a conference-only schedule, Alabama would host four home games:

Sept. 19 vs. Georgia Oct. 17 vs. Mississippi State  Nov. 21 vs. Texas A&M Nov. 28 vs. Auburn

Alabama would no longer be hosting Georgia State, Kent State, or UT Martin.

So, what would those four home games look like?

At this rate, I don’t think there’s any way you would expect anything near full capacity, if fans are let in at all.

Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne posted a message to RollTide.com that read this in part:

“Under normal operations, a large percentage of our annual budget comes directly from ticket sales and TIDE PRIDE memberships. In the event we have to adopt a modified seating model at Bryant-Denny Stadium, this number will be impacted significantly. While we don’t yet know the effects on individual ticket holders, we do know that we will need your continued and generous support.

As plans become clearer, the Crimson Tide Foundation and TIDE PRIDE/ticket office will work with you to provide options to continue supporting our core mission, including the opportunity to donate TIDE PRIDE contributions and ticket purchases as a potentially deductible gift to the Crimson Tide Foundation. Those affected will also have the option to elect a complete or partial refund of TIDE PRIDE contributions and ticket purchases.”

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves was very clear in a message to the media on Monday: There will not be many fans in the stands this fall.  

“I think we will have college football,” Reeves said. “It may be a delayed start, but it’s not going to be 100% capacity. The question is, is it 10% capacity or 20% or 35%? But those are the conversations that are being had now.”

If Alabama follows suit, and it chose to allow 20% to 35% of fans, that would mean from 20,000 to around 35,000 fans would be allowed.

That would mean each fan would have at least one or two empty seats between the person beside them, if that became a social distancing requirement Alabama abides by.

Beside the seating, fans would also more than likely be required to undergo a temperature check when they enter the stadium, as well as wear a mask to their seat.

The question has been asked, will fans have to wear a mask in the stands?

That’s a question no one seems to have the answer to yet.

Some say yes, but others seem to have the thought that if there is proper social distancing between fans, the individual could take their mask off if they are in their seat, but would be required to put it on to go to the bathroom, or when they get out of the seat.

Would concessions be open?

Probably so, but I am sure you can expect a very limited selection such as pretzels, hotdogs, candy, popcorn and drinks. 

That’s something that will be addressed at some point, I’m sure.

There are clearly a lot of unknowns surrounding this season, but that’s to be expected when you enter a situation like this that has never been dealt with before.

Clearly, there will be changes. And it will take time to adjust.

But, honestly, if there’s a way the players can play football safely this fall, I will be thankful to get to watch the games on TV.

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing better than being in Bryant-Denny Stadium during an Alabama game.

But even if Alabama announces that no fans will be able to attend, at least the games will be televised. That’s truly better than nothing.

And at the end of the day, the safety of the players, coaches, and fans is more important.

Over the next few weeks, more details will be announced regarding Alabama’s schedule, stadium operation, and information for the fans.

Until then, all we can do is hope for the best, and keep re-watching previous games from past seasons. At least that’s what I’ve been doing.

For some reason, whenever I’m having a bad day, I watch this play, and suddenly, my day gets better!

ROLL TIDE.