Tide Opens Under Lights

It was no secret that Alabama did not want to open the Nick Saban Era of Crimson Tide football in a game played at midday on September 1. In fact, friend and foe of Bama football has described Alabama Athletics Director Mal Moore as having been adamant that the Tide not be selected for that early game.

On Monday it was announced that Florida was the loser in the draw of the mid-day game that is part of the Southeastern Conference’s television package. Lincoln Financial Network has the 11:30 Central Time slot. Florida and Western Kentucky will play before the L-F cameras on September 1.

Alabama will open its 2007 season and the Nick Saban Era against Western Carolina under the lights at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Director of Athletics Mal Moore announced late Tuesday that Alabama’s game against Western Carolina on September 1 will be produced by the Crimson Tide Sports Network for pay-per-view distribution with kickoff set for 6:07 p.m. CDT.

CTSN’s pay-per-view telecast will be anchored by the network’s Chris Stewart, who will be joined in the booth by former Tide quarterback Tyler Watts with sideline reports from Barry Krauss.

Fans will be able to order the Crimson Tide Pay-Per-View telecasts through their local cable company. The game also will be available on DirecTV and the Dish Network.

Alabama will appear on the Lincoln Financial broadcast the second week of the season when the Tide goes to Nashville to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores at 11:30 a.m. CDT on September 8.