Depending on the weather, seats on the Bama sideline (western side of the stadium) are much more preferred because you don't have to sit or stare into the sun.
When I go to a game, I want to be in the stadium, in my seat, close to 45 minutes before kickoff. Soemtimes I'll get there 1 hour before.
I like watching the team come out and go through their pre-game drills. Watching the stadium start to fill up is fun too. Getting there early there is plenty to see and hear with the pre-game videos too. And then, it's always cool when almost exactly 30 minutes before the kickoff they play "Sweet Home Alabama."
What happens before the game is part of the experience IMO.
