Magic City Classic kicks off in Birmingham - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Magic City Classic kicks off in Birmingham

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By Rick Karle - bio | email
Alabama A&M and Alabama State will face off Saturday in the Magic City Classic. Alabama A&M and Alabama State will face off Saturday in the Magic City Classic.
BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC) -

Wednesday was the official kick off for the Magic City Classic, the annual matchup between Alabama A&M and Alabama State.

If you look very closely at Legion Field Saturday afternoon, you will discover that there is an actual football game in the middle of the party. Alabama State and Alabama A&M will knock heads as the winner gets the inside track on winning the SWAC's Eastern Division title.

Earlier today in Birmingham, Mayor William Bell welcomed ASU coach Reggie Barlow and A&M coach Anthony Jones to the city.

How big will this game be? Players and fans from the losing team will have to hear ribbing for the next 364 days.

The last few years we've seen some superb football games, and this weekend, two of the top running backs in the SWAC will settle the score. The Hornets' Isiah Crowell and the Bulldogs Kaderius Lacey will be center stage.

Last year at Legion Field, A&M's Kaderius Lacy of Calera earned offensive MVP honors; the year before it was ASU winning it.

The partying starts in earnest Thursday. On Friday the Tom Joyner radio show will be at Legion Field and the parade is Saturday morning before the game.

Kickoff on Saturday is set for 2:30 p.m. The battle of the bands should start about 4 p.m. That's when the fans will really be paying attention.

Check out the full schedule of events below:

Thursday, Oct. 25:

Magic City Classic Alumni Pep Rally, B&A Warehouse, 7:30 p.m. Admission, $10.

Friday, Oct. 26:

Magic City Classic Scholarship Breakfast, Harbert Center, 7:30 a.m. For information, contact LeNa' Powe with the Birmingham Business Alliance at 205-241-8139.

Toyota Day of Service, Grace House, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Click here to participate in the Toyota Day of Service.

Saturday, Oct. 27:

McDonald's Magic City Classic Parade, Downtown Birmingham, 8 a.m.

Coors Light Pre-game Tailgate Party, Sponsor Village at Legion Field, 11 a.m.

71st Annual State Farm Magic City Classic presented by Coca Cola, Legion Field. Kickoff: 2:30 p.m.

Halftime Half-Time Show, featuring Alabama State University and Alabama A&M University band performances.

Postgame Concert featuring Frankie Beverly & Maze.

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