Holiday Inn is a great place to stay for the game.
About a mile walk to the stadium.
The reason I mention going downtown is with a 7pm kick I think visiting fans would have more fun hanging out at downtown balcony bars, visiting breweries, relaxing in the squares or visiting the USS Alabama. Heck I'd look at checking out Fort Gaines on Dauphin Island if weather is nice.
There's just not much to do on or near campus unless you want to tailgate all day.
Campus will really start getting active around 2pm