On the road with Alabama & Auburn

— -- TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- It was early Friday morning, and Alabama's campus was as quiet as you'll ever find it.

School wasn't in session. The Strip, a section of University Boulevard cramped with bars and restaurants, was, for the most part, deserted. "Countdown to kickoff: 30" was plastered on the window of the Alabama Bookstore in big block letters.

Driving alongside Bryant-Denny Stadium, you could only glimpse the green football field below.

A block away, the Mal Moore Athletic Facility was buzzing. Three national championship trophies faced out from the second floor, greeting players as they parked their cars and entered the building. Nick Saban's black Mercedes was in its usual spot. At 9 a.m., a horn blared from the practice fields.

Across the way, reporters arrived for the first day of fall camp. "Who's going to have a better year, Alabama or Auburn?" a cameraman asked. It's an obvious question without an obvious answer. Not after the way last season ended. "Both," someone said, before adding the caveat, "I'm not sold on Coker."