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Rice's visit beefs up security

Phillip Fulmer won't be the No. 1 security concern for the University of Alabama on Saturday when Tennessee visits Bryant-Denny Stadium. He's outranked.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice will not only attend the game but be on the field for the pre-game coin toss.

Rice, a Birmingham native, will attend the game with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, who is participating in a lecture series at the university on Friday.

Federal security officials arrived on campus Wednesday to begin preparations for Rice and Straw's visit.

This will be Fulmer's second trip to Tuscaloosa since the Crimson Tide was put on two years of NCAA probation in 2002 for recruiting violations.

Fulmer's prominent role in the investigation led to his unpopularity in Alabama. The fact that he has beaten the Tide nine of the past 10 years didn't win him any fans either.

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