Don't expect peace even for Rice's visit

Saturday, October 22, 2005
By PAUL GATTIS
Times Sports Staff pgattis@htimes.com

Condi will find Alabama eager to beat UT... and vice versa

TUSCALOOSA - It's been reported that the appearance this weekend of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is little more than a giant photo opportunity for a future presidential candidate.

Maybe.

Or maybe Alabama vs. Tennessee just needs a little diplomatic interlude. And maybe that's why Rice will cram herself into Bryant-Denny Stadium today along with 82,000 others.


Is she taking her weekend guest British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw to the Game?

"There's an intense desire to beat Tennessee," Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle said. "I don't want to say hatred. But that's basically what both fans have for each other."