With the NC State Wolfpack extending its early-season record to 3-0 with a hard-working win for Pack Nation at Carter-Finley Stadium on Thursday over the the Cincinnati Bearcats, 30-19, the latest local big news surrounds the defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide making a visit to Durham, North Carolina on Saturday. The Duke Blue Devils and their coach Dave Cutcliffe, an Alabama grad, host the Crimson Tide at Wallace Wade Stadium. Of note, Wallace Wade brought three national championships to Tuscaloosa, Alabama when he coached the Tide from 1923-1930.
All in all, Saturday's game is Duke's home game, but it will feel like you are in Tuscaloosa. There is a specific parking lot set aside for traveling Alabama fans to park their RV's in (with detailed rules) and many purchased Duke football season-ticket packages in order to ensure to get tickets for the game. Thus, Alabama fans are providing a great economic impact on the local economy. After Saturday's game, it will be interesting to see how much the remaining Duke home football tickets that were purchased will go for on Ebay or Craigslist. They may even give them away while they are in the stands - you never know.
In anticipation of a large crowd and more income-generation potential, the Duke athletic department installed additional seating in its end zone area below the scoreboard to support a bigger crowd. Not a bad idea when you consider local fans who didn't buy season tickets (because Alabama fans did) were still able to buy tickets to watch Alabama play Duke. When checking the Duke web site earlier this week, these end zone tickets were available for $75 apiece - the highest-priced ticket for any game being played in the Triangle this season. It will be surprising if these tickets do not all sell out.
After all, when do you get the chance to travel to Tuscaloosa, Alabama by driving to Durham, North Carolina.
View: The last time Duke and Alabama played (duke.com)
