The Commodores are on their way to Tuscaloosa for Saturday's tilt with No. 2 Alabama.

On a perfect Friday to travel with highs in the low 80s and sunny skies, the team boarded five charter buses and departed McGugin Center following lunch in the Hendrix Room. After a three-hour ride, the buses stopped in Birmingham for the night.

by Brandon Barca (Archive) Twitter updates @brandonbarca

Vanderbilt went through individual and group meetings in its hotel mixed in with dinner, treatments, and additional activities. Student-athletes were required to be in their rooms by the 10:30 p.m. curfew set by the coaching staff.  

The Commodores will make the 60-mile trek from Birmingham to Bryant-Denny Stadum Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT on ESPNU.

Here is a photo blog from Day 1 of the trip...

Quarterback Larry Smith carries his luggage to the team buses on Jess Neely Drive next to McGugin Center.



Cornerback Eddie Foster boards the bus...



The Vanderbilt video crew transports camera equipment used to capture coaching film...



Safety Sean Richardson is ready to hit the road...



McGugin staff cheer on the Commodores as the team leaves campus...



After crossing the state line, Alabama police escorted Vanderbilt's buses for over an hour until the team made it safely to the hotel.



The devastation from a deadly tornado that hit the state last April was still visible from the Interstate near Cullman and Birmingham.



Head Coach James Franklin makes his way to the hotel after the three-hour bus trip to Birmingham.



Student-athletes grab their bags before checking into the hotel...



Linebacker Chris Marve is focused on the mission...



There's a bronze statue in honor of legendary Alabama Head Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and Auburn Head Coach Ralph "Shug" Jordan in front of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in downtown Birmingham...



Communications guru Larry Leathers tries to get into the Southeastern Conference headquarters without an invitation. The SEC office has been located in this downtown building since 1991...



Leathers was given access after he delivered the secret handshake with security. Here's a photo of the SEC's front lobby... 

  Printer-friendly format     Email this article