Bulldog Nation, we stand at a crossroads in our season. We have had a victory that proved we were ready to come back and be a force in the SEC and the college football world as a whole.

Similarly, we have had a loss has shown that we still have some way to go to make the next step. However, for the Dogs to reach that next step, they will need more then just well-executed plays and a strong defense. They are going to need a show of support – a clarion call, rousing and strong similar only to the Battle Hymn solo or the calls of Larry Munson.

The Dogs need to leave Athens Saturday morning knowing if the entire Bulldog nation could make it to Tuscaloosa, they would be there. Last Saturday, the team played well. The fans, however, were less then supportive.

From where I sat with the Redcoat Band, half of the stadium seemed empty by the fourth quarter song. Simply put, this kind of support isn’t going to cut it. Yes, it was Western Carolina, but if that means anything, it means we needed to be on our feet at the end of the game telling the Dogs to heck with ‘Bama, so they could get strong boost of momentum.

Bulldog fans are a fickle group, no doubt, but we all can agree on one thing – Alabama is going to be our hardest game to date. A revitalized offense under Nick Saban’s coaching, a win over Arkansas, a jolt in the polls and a night game at home will give the Alabama team momentum and advantages up the whazoo going into Saturday’s game. Every ESPN and CBS sports critic will be writing off the Dogs as just not good enough. Seemingly, all odds will be against us.

That is when the Dogs will play their best. And this is why: 400-plus Redcoat Band members, a cheering section so loud and so supportive that it will be heard clear from Sanford and a team that clearly has all the necessary tools. With this latest win, it now it has the experience to make it happen.

Do not get me wrong – this game will be a full 60 minutes of tough, mean, dirty, good old-fashioned SEC football. However, I believe in the Dogs. I believe that this is the time when Bulldogs everywhere, from Athens to London, need to get behind their team.

The Bulldogs need a sign before we go to ‘Bama. A simple showing that, through glory or defeat, whether we are sure of their strength or not, we are still going to be the loudest cheering section Alabama has ever seen.

So I make this simple proposition to the Bulldog faithful on campus Friday: Find a white T-shirt. Get a big red marker. Write two words on the front – two simple words that express the sentiments of the Bulldog Nation: “Go Dogs.” On the back, write two other words that explain what is going to happen in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday night: “Beat ‘Bama.”

Once a dog, always a dog – how sweet it is.

- Carter Bates is a sophomore from Lockport, Ill., majoring in international affairs.