I want to say something. It's not a popular phrase in this area (or outside of the state of Alabama really.) And when I do say it, I'm either met with blank stares or (somewhat friendly) heckling.

Roll Tide.

That's right, Roll Tide. I, Parrish Alleman, am an alumnus of the University of Alabama.

Ever since moving away from Alabama, fellow Tide fans have been fairly hard to find. It was a little bit of a culture shock to wear an Alabama shirt on game day and not hear “Roll Tide” almost everywhere I went. But for the past few years, I've had a reason to hide my Tide pride.

I was living in Corpus Christi, TX in 2010 when Alabama won the National Championship against Texas. Wow. Let's just say wearing anything crimson or houndstooth was not a smart move for several months.

But this football season has been different. I should say that I am possibly the most football illiterate person ever. So all season long, I was hazy on how exactly Alabama winning or losing affected Kansas State's National title chances, but that didn't stop K-State fans from trying to explain.

Every single time Alabama played a game this season, at least a dozen K-State fans would tell me how much they hoped we lost. Most of them let me know it wasn't anything personal, but Alabama losing was a great thing for K-State.

I had the amazing opportunity to go to the Alabama-LSU game in Baton Rouge. As I was leaving work to head down to Louisiana, several co-workers told me, “Have fun! I hope you lose!”

The next week, Alabama did lose to Texas A&M. And then, K-State was ranked number one in the nation. My phone and Facebook wall blew up with taunts and jabs (it was all fairly good-natured) from K-State fans I know. (Side note: A meaner person than I could take this opportunity to name those fans...but I will not stoop to such levels.)

It was shocking to me that not only did there seem to be NO Alabama fans anywhere in Wichita, but the entire K-State fan base seemed to be rooting against us!

After K-State lost to Baylor, the Alabama bashing has died down a lot. I'm curious to see how long that lasts.

I was actually rooting for an Alabama vs. K-State National Championship game. Again, I have a limited knowledge of sports so I'm not sure what the chances of that actually happening were; but it would have been a fun game to watch. Especially if Alabama won. (Just think of the bragging rights!)

Still, on January 7th, when the Alabama Crimson Tide plays for their 15th National Championship, I will be decked out in crimson and houndstooth. I will yell “Roll Tide” and sing the fight song every time we score, even if I am the only one.

I have one request. If anyone out there (K-State fan or not) doesn't particularly like Notre Dame or maybe you're just indifferent, the tiny Alabama fan base in Wichita, Kansas would sure appreciate you throwing out a “Roll Tide” during the game every now and then.