Friday, 10:26 a.m. Depart and begin the 700-plus mile trip south.

Friday, 3:15 p.m. Katiz, Ky. The first stop of the trip. This is something even a writer couldn’t dream up. While sitting at a Cracker Barrel restaurant for an afternoon meal, the bluegrass classic Rocky Top begins to play.

No problem yet, we are in Kentucky.

Just then a balding man with a mullet that runs half-way down his back walks in the door.

He sports cut-off jean shorts and a red-and-white striped shirt.

The locals don’t take a second glance.

Coincidence? I think not.

Friday, 8:42 p.m. Birmingham, Ala. Arrive in Birmingham. Tuscaloosa hotels are sold out, so this is the next best thing. The University of Alabama is unique in that it plays one “home” game a year in Birmingham at Legion Field. Birmingham is still football-crazy. Hogan’s, a local bar, will charge six dollars to watch the NIU-Alabama game the following day. One worker expects a near-full house.

Saturday 1:32 p.m. Arrive in Tuscaloosa. Four-and-a-half hours before game time, and it appears the game is about to start. People are swarming the campus, but game time isn’t for another for another couple of hours.

The Paul W. Bryant Museum is the next stop. Upon arriving at the museum, director Ken Gaddy gives the grand tour.

The museum, which sits on Bryant Drive and next to the Bryant Conference Center, started when Bryant wanted to recognize all the players he coached.

It has expanded to a complete Alabama football shrine that attracts about 40,000 visitors a year.

It is everything Alabama there. The couch that Bryant used to have in his office is one of the many pieces of memorabilia in the museum.

6:05 p.m. Game time. Watching a live football game with 83,018 other people is quite a sight.

8:49 p.m. Watching a win is even better. NIU shocks the Tide 19-16 in the biggest win in school history.

11:22 p.m. Walking from bar to bar in Tuscaloosa, a trend is noticed. The phrase “Roll Tide” can fit in some capacity in nearly every country music song.

In one bar, fans shout “Roll Tide” in between verses of Hank Williams Jr.’s “Family Tradition.”

Try it. It works.

“Why do you drink … Roll Tide.”

“Why do you smoke … Roll Tide.”

Same goes for the group Alabama’s “Dixieland Delight.”

Roll Tide.

Sunday 2:38 p.m. Leave Tuscaloosa. Unlike NIU fans, who clear out after games, there are still ’Bama fans tailgating and milling around the stadium.

Monday 2:05 a.m. Arrive in DeKalb. Four days and more than 1,600 miles later, home is good to see. Country music will never be enjoyed again.

Roll, Huskies. Roll.