Alabama football returns to the scene of the crime from nine years ago. Inheriting a slow-building winner from Lou Holtz, Steve Spurrier sought to satisfy the championship hungry Gamecocks fan base. Fresh off its first national championship in seventeen years, the Crimson Tide entered Williams Brice Stadium on a nineteen game winning streak. Stephen Garcia played the game of his life, leading the team to victory. Years later, the Gamecocks hope to regain national prominence.
High expectations for Saban protege, head coach Will Muschamp, in his fourth season began with a humbling loss in the season opener to border rival North Carolina.