In what could be viewed as the game of the day, Texas takes on the No. 1 Alabama inside the walls of Royal-Memorial Stadium. Soon, fans can expect this type of matchup on the regular with the Longhorns making the jump to the SEC in 2025.

Alabama, the betting favorite to win this year’s national title, certainly should feel comfortable entering Saturday following its 55-0 win over Utah State. Longhorns fans also are riding high following the 52-10 win over Louisiana-Monroe last week to kick off the new campaign.

How excited is the fan base? With 3 hours remaining before kickoff, DKR’s student section is already packed. Below, you can see how fans engulfed the stadium to begin the day, waiting in line just for a chance to get in the stadium early.

The two schools haven’t met since the 2010 national championship when Alabama’s dynasty officially began. With Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy suffering an elbow injury in the first quarter, the Tide pounced, torching Texas’ defense en route to a 37-21 victory.

Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian will look to become the third former assistant to take down Nick Saban. After spending 2 seasons as Alabama’s offensive coordinator, Sark was hired to replace Tom Herman. Last season, Texas struggled in the second half of games, eventually leading to a 5-7 record.

All-time, Saban holds a 25-2 record against his former protégés, with both losses coming last season to Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher and Georgia’s Kirby Smart. Alabama will feature 3 potential Heisman candidates in quarterback Bryce Young, running back Jahmyr Gibbs, and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. 

Kickoff is set for noon E.T. The Crimson Tide enters Saturday as a -20.5 favorite, according to FanDuel.