It was Oct. 24, just a few hours after Alabama had held off Tennessee in a hair-puller, moving to 7-1 and officially on its way back to national title contention. The scene outside Bryant-Denny Stadium was a celebratory shade of postapocalyptic. Fans continued to loiter among the tall statues that lined the courtyard, the larger-than-life likenesses of the five head coaches who have led the Crimson Tide to national championships.
There were crowds gathered around only two. A family of four posed with Bear Bryant as others stood in line for their turn. Meanwhile, a pair of female students dressed in Bryant fedoras and matching miniskirts posed, knees kicked out, as they flanked bronze Nick Saban.