Alabama blaring Rocky Top, crowd noise to begin prep for Neyland Stadium

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Tuesday was Alabama’s first day of on-field preparation for its game at Tennessee, and “Rocky Top” started playing at the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility at 6 a.m.

“Everywhere – the weight room, training room,” said Alabama defensive lineman Tim Smith. “They tried to play it in the locker room, but we turned that off. We’re cool on that. 

“But everywhere, even at practice.”

Saturday, Oct. 19, will be the Crimson Tide’s third true road game of the season, but it will be by far the most hostile crowd Alabama has played in front of to date – and maybe all year. Neyland Stadium has a capacity of 101,915, and most of those fans will be pulling for the Vols.

To prepare the players for the raucous road environment that awaits them in Knoxville. Alabama opened the week with simulated crowd noise roaring on the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields.

For many of Alabama’s players, it will be their first experience with not only the Third Saturday in October but playing in a deafening stadium, particularly when the offense has the football.

“I’m definitely excited,” said Alabama freshman wide receiver Ryan Williams. “We’ve got the crowd noise at practice. It’s preparing me a little bit. I don’t think it really makes a difference when you’re focusing on the ball.”

Several of the Crimson Tide’s older players have played at Neyland before and have helped to prep their younger, or newer, teammates for what to expect Saturday (2:30 p.m. on ABC).

“To just be ready to go in there and execute,” said Alabama safety Malachi Moore. “Don’t let the external factors both you. As a competitor, you’re supposed to love moments like this. Going into a place where everybody hates you, nobody wants to see you win or walk out of there victorious. You just have to thrive for that and expect and go out there and execute.”

It will also be important to balance playing with emotions and playing with maturity.

“That’s an emphasis that we’ve been talking about, too, just controlling our emotions and honing in on our assignments,” Moore said. “I think if we all just get home and do our job and not let external things factor in and affect us, we’ll be OK. But definitely, with the tempo of their offense, we’re gonna be getting back to the ball anyways.”

The last time Alabama traveled to Knoxville in 2022, the Vols snapped a 15-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide. Fans stormed the field, tore down the goalposts and marched them to the Tennessee River. While Alabama was able to get revenge last season with a 34-20 victory in Tuscaloosa, memories from two seasons ago still sit in the returners’ minds.

“Definitely,” Moore said. “Last time we went there, we didn’t come out on the right end of things, so that’s definitely a thing that the players that were there are still aware of.”

Crowd noise will impact the offense the most, and while Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe will be making his second start against the Vols, it will be his first inside of Neyland Stadium.

“I’ve definitely played on the road before,” Milroe said. “I know what’s required to be successful on the road and what needs to be taking place at the quarterback position so our offense can be our best us. And now, going into Knoxville, it’s gonna be so important through the communication. 

“Communication No. 1. Keying into our reads, having great eye discipline, understanding our assignment on each and every play, locking into the details and not letting external factors control our controllables.

“When we factor that into our preparation, that’s gonna allow us to grow throughout the whole game, and that’s something we’re gonna try to do. Just continue to have our foot on the gas, acknowledge what we need to do throughout the game and just communicate the best way possible.”

Not a member, Alabama fans? Join BOL today!

Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com yet? You can sign up for ONE MONTH of premium access to our Alabama coverage for just $11.99! Be able to read all of BOL’s premium articles and nuggets covering Alabama sports and recruiting and also join thousands of other Crimson Tide fans around the globe on the BOL Round Table message board! CLICK HERE!