I know what you mean, I didn't want to pay the $30k+/year to go to OSU either. Seriously though, football bullshit aside, UA isn't for everyone. I know a couple of kids who went down there and they love the Greek life and athletics and everything else so much they didn't want to come home for break, but I know quite a few more kids who went there for things other than frat parties and football who didn't have very nice things to say about it. And Tuscaloosa, like a lot of areas in southern and western Alabama, can be pretty fuckin' shocking at times.
I'd take the visit, but I wouldn't go there if I had any other decent options. Good luck.