Alabama’s Crimson Tide, up close

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Texas fans snap pictures of Longhorns players through the gates of the Rose Bowl on Wednesday, the day before the Bowl Championship Series title game in Pasadena.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Texas quarterback Colt McCoy takes in the California sunshine at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday, the day before his Longhorns will play Alabama for the BCS national title.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Members of the Texa Longhorns football team pose for pictures at the Rose Bowl, where they will face Alabama in the BCS title game Thursday.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Longhorns fans take try to catch a glimpse of their team at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday as it prepares for Thursday’s BCS title game against Alabama.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Texas Coach Mack Brown squeezes in for the Longhorns team picture on Wednesday, the day before the BCS title game against Alabama at the Rose Bowl.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Crimson Tide running back and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram strikes a pose for teammates on Wednesday, the day before Alabama faces Texas with the BCS title on the line.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Crimson Tide fans try to take pictures Alabama players at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday as the team prepares to face Texas in Thursday’s BCS title game.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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The Alabama equipment truck pulls into the Rose Bowl parking lot Wednesday in preparation for Thursday’s BCS title game between the Crimson Tide and the Texas Longhorns.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

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Crimson Tide and Longhorns fans pose for pictures on opposite sides of a display at the Rose Bowl on Wednesday the day before the BCS title game between Alabama and Texas.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Crimson Tide players, coaches and staff assemble for a team picture the day before Alabama faces Texas with the BCS title on the line. Use zoom controls at the bottom of the photo to explore the high-resolution image that was created by combining consecutive photographs.