Alabama will open its season at Missouri

Alabama now knows the entirety of its upcoming football season. After learning that it will open its season at Missouri earlier in the day, the Crimson Tide received the rest of its 10-game conference slate Monday night as the SEC announced complete schedules for all 14 of its programs.

Alabam'as home opener will come against Texas A&M on Oct. 3, while the much-anticipated home meeting against Georgia was moved to Week 4 on Oct. 17. The Tide's trip to LSU will come on Nov. 14 following an open week. This year marks the first time since 2003 that Alabama and Auburn won't play in the final game of the season. The Iron Bowl will still be held on Thanksgiving weekend but will be Alabama's second-to-last game as the Tide wraps up its regular season with a trip to Arkansas on Dec. 5.

During Nick Saban's Monday night Zoom call, he was asked about his thoughts on the SEC's decision to move to a 10-game conference-only schedule. The head coach said he felt like the decision was made based on player safety and what was best for the league.

"It’s not an easy decision, but it’s something that we’re all committed to trying to create a safe environment for the players to be able to play and compete," Saban said. "I think the fact that we’re playing 10 SEC games, I mean, I’ve been a guy that’s been wanting to play 10 SEC games for a long time, so this year we get to do that. I think it’s good for our players who get the opportunity to create value against 10 really quality opponents in our league. And I think it’s going to be very challenging because it’s going to be every week, you’re going to have a very, very good opponent. But I think it’s good for the fans.

"Hopefully, it will create a lot of interest, and I’m pleased with it. I looked at this schedule, and I think they did it as fairly as possible. We go to Missouri to start, play Texas A&M early. We’ve got to play everybody at some point in time, so we’ve just got to take it one game at a time and that’s exactly how we’ve always approached it and will approach it right now.”

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