Alabama
ESPN predicts every game outcome on Alabama 2024 schedule
The Kalen DeBoer era will officially kick off when the Alabama Crimson Tide take the field against Western Kentucky in their season opener on Aug. 31.
The much-anticipated debut for the first-year Alabama head coach comes after he took Washington to the national championship game this past season. Replacing Nick Saban is a tall task for any coach, but DeBoer’s past success speaks for itself with only 12 losses on his head coaching record. Still, many are curious to see how Alabama fares during his first season leading the program.
Before his inaugural season as the Crimson Tide head coach, ESPN analystics has predicted the outcome of every Alabama game this season, via its matchup predictor.
Aug. 31: Alabama vs. Western Kentucky – 97.4% chance of win
DeBoer’s first mission as Crimson Tide head coach will be to topple the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers inside Bryant-Denny Stadium in front of what is likely to be a curious Crimson Tide fanbase. ESPN is predicting a win heavily in Alabama’s favor, as they’re 31-point betting favorites, per ESPN Bet.
He only gets one shot at a first impression — we’ll see if he can make the most of it.
Sept 7: Alabama vs. South Florida – 96.2% chance of win
Last season’s matchup against USF was a bit of a fever dream. Now Notre Dame walk-on wide receiver Tyler Buchner started at quarterback for the Crimson Tide defeated the Bulls 17-3 on neutral territory.
2024’s edition of this matchup will happen on the Crimson Tide’s home turf. This time, the final score is not expected to be so close according to the matchup predictor.
Sept. 14: Alabama at Wisconsin – 81.3% chance of win
DeBoer’s first road trip as Alabama’s head coach, the Crimson Tide are still heavily favored in front of a crowd packed full of Wisconsin faithful.
Alabama hasn’t played in Camp Randall Stadium since November of 1928. However, the Tide won the most recent bout in Sept. 2015, which saw the Badgers fall 35-17 in Dallas as Derrick Henry rushed for 147 yards and three touchdowns.
Sept. 28: Alabama vs. Georgia – 40.9% chance of win
Arguably the biggest blockbuster game of the regular season, preseason No. 5 Alabama will take on preseason No. 1 Georgia in Tuscaloosa for the first time since 2020. This matchup will not only have implications for the SEC Championship race, but could play a hand in the how the playoff committee handles the CFP seedings.
Alabama is 23-13-4 all-time against the Bulldogs at home and have won seven on the last eight games in the rivalry overall. This is the only game that ESPN’s matchup predictor does not favor the Tide.
Oct. 5: Alabama at Vanderbilt – 89.8% chance of win
According to ESPN’s matchup predictor, Alabama’s game against Vanderbilt in October is the easiest road game on their schedule, giving the Crimson Tide a near 90 percent chance to defeat the Commodores at home.
Alabama hasn’t lost to Vanderbilt since 1984.
Oct. 12: Alabama vs. South Carolina – 86.2% chance of win
The midway point in the season, DeBoer should be settled into his role by this point. How his team performs remains to be seen — but a strong performance against South Carolina could set the Crimson Tide up nicely for the upcoming rough patch in their schedule.
However, Alabama can’t get caught looking ahead at what’s next. Any matchup against an SEC opponent could be considered a trap game down the stretch.
Oct. 19: Alabama at Tennessee – 58% chance of win
DeBoer might not have been around for 2022’s loss to Tennessee inside Neyland Stadium, but he doesn’t want Alabama fans to relive it, either. The 52-49 loss, which resulted in uprooted goal poasts during the postgame field-storming, was Nick Saban’s final trip to Knoxville.
Alabama bounced back last season to dispatch of the Vols last year 34-20 and have won 16 of the last 17 matchups in the rivalry.
Oct. 26: Alabama vs. Missouri – 70% chance of win
Missouri‘s Luther Burden might be the most dynamic offensive weapon the Crimson Tide are scheduled to face this season. Proving to be an elite performer at the wide receiver position, Alabama defensive backs may have their work cut out for them. Afterall, Missouri won 11 games last season and capped it with a bowl win over Ohio State.
If the Crimson Tide aren’t careful, Eli Drinkwitz and company could make a massive statement in Tuscaloosa come late October as ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Alabama a 70% chance of winning the game at home — the lowest mark at home since Georgia.
Nov. 9: Alabama at LSU – 63.3% chance of win
ESPN’s matchup predictor predicts this game to be similar to the Tennessee road game, but gives Alabama a slight edge with a 63.3% chance of leaving Death Valley with a win.
LSU also knocked off Alabama during that 2022 season, which the Crimson Tide avenged last year as well. Still, coming off a tough stretch of schedule LSU could give Alabama all they can handle on the road.
Nov. 16: Alabama vs. Mercer – 99% chance of win
Coming off consecutive matchups against Tennessee, Missouri and LSU, Alabama gets to enjoy a home game against Mercer. This is the game they’re most likely to win this season, according to ESPN’s percentage data.
Two weeks before the Iron Bowl — this one could get ugly.
Nov. 23: Alabama at Oklahoma – 51.2% chance of win
Alabama will play Oklahoma in Norman for the first time since 1970 later this year. ESPN analytics believe the Crimson Tide will narrowly escape with a victory in this season’s matchup.
How Texas and OU will adapt to their new SEC environment in year one remains to be seen — but a matchup against Alabama at home in Novemeber is the ultimate way to test yourself against a team that is expected to be one of the best the conference has to offer. Despite this, Alabama is the favorite, even if by a couple of percentage points.
Nov. 30: Alabama vs. Auburn – 80.1% chance of win
The Iron Bowl gave college football fans one of its most memorable moments of the 2023 season when Jalen Milroe hit Isaiah Bond in the back of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown on the road, stunning the Auburn fans inside Jordan-Hare Satdium.
This time around, they’re in Tuscaloosa where the Crimson Tide are heavily favored against their in-state rival as DeBoer and company look to ride into the postseason on a high note.
Alabama basketball is set to begin conference play this Saturday, and the SEC is no joke this year. The conference just had one of the best non-conference showings for any league in recent memory, meaning every game will be a challenge.
The Crimson Tide’s first opponent is Oklahoma, who holds a No. 12 ranking in the AP Poll as one of three remaining undefeated teams in the sport. Coincidentally the other two are also SEC teams in Tennessee and Florida.
The Sooners are an interesting case, having outperformed expectations by starting 13-0, but not receiving any love from the metrics. Oklahoma started the season rated No. 40 by KenPom, and has dropped one spot to No. 41 despite 13 straight wins to start the year. The schedule has been underwhelming, with one solid win over Michigan but playing seven teams outside the top-250 in KenPom.
Oklahoma’s non-conference strength of schedule ranks outside the top-300, and the Sooners have yet to play a road game this season. Every game they’ve played has either been in Norman or at a neutral site, which adds an notable wrinkle to this game.
Another interesting note is that head coach Nate Oats is 0-2 in his Alabama career against Oklahoma. Both losses came in Norman in the SEC/Big 12 Challenge, once in 2021 and once in 2023.
How to watch, listen and other key information
Opponent: No. 12 Oklahoma Sooners (13-0)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 4
Tipoff time: 5 p.m. CT
Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Venue: Coleman Coliseum
Capacity: 13,474
Television: SEC Network
– Play-by-play: Jon Schriffin
– Analyst: Richard Hendrix
Streaming link: WATCH
Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network
– Play-by-play: Chris Stewart
– Analyst: Bryan Passink
Satellite radio: CTSN on Sirius / XM 134 or 201
Varsity Network link: LISTEN
Series record: Oklahoma leads 7-3
Last Meeting: Jan. 28, 2023
– Oklahoma 93, Alabama 69
Point spread: Alabama -10.5
Alabama Statistical Leaders:
– Scoring: Mark Sears (18.0 PPG)
– Rebounding: Grant Nelson (8.6 RPG)
– Assists: Mark Sears (4.0 APG)
Oklahoma Statistical Leaders:
– Scoring: Jeremiah Fears (18.1 PPG)
– Rebounding: Sam Godwin (6.7 RPG)
– Assists: Jeremiah Fears (4.5 APG)
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The death of Kareem Badawi, an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Alabama, has left the Episcopal School community in Baton Rouge grieving the loss of an exceptional young man.
He was killed in a terrorist attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Eve. Another former classmate, Parker Vidrine, was also injured in the attack and remains in the ICU.
ALSO READ| FBI confirms New Orleans attacker acted alone inspired by ISIS
Who was Kareem Badawi?
Kareem graduated from Episcopal High School in Baton Rouge, where he was a beloved member of the football team. He formed a close bond with his best friend and teammate, Ethan Ott. The two carried their friendship to college, becoming roommates and pledging Sigma Chi together. Both students excelled academically, earning 4.0 GPAs in their first semester.
Kareem’s former football coach, Travis Bourgeois, fondly remembered him: “Why innocent people have to suffer, especially a guy like Kareem, was well liked, not a hurtful bone in his body. He’s a very kind, gentle guy, well liked you know, people went to Kareem because he’s a positive guy.”
On New Year’s Eve, Kareem joined several 2024 Episcopal graduates in New Orleans to reunite and share stories of their first semester in college. At some point during the night, the group became separated. Around 3:16 a.m., Ethan informed Kareem he was heading to Bourbon Street. Shortly after, Kareem’s life was tragically cut short.
“He thought it’s a big city and New Orleans would have parties … He thought it would be a good idea, and there would be a bigger party than Baton Rouge,” Kareem’s father, Belal Badawi, told the New York Post.
“The next day was the Sugar Bowl and he loves sports so he thought New Orleans was the place to be for New Year’s Eve. The New Year’s Eve is not what he expected or planned for and unfortunately he got killed.”
ALSO READ| New Orleans truck attack: British man among 15 killed in rampage
Ethan and other friends honoured Kareem by getting tattoos that read “KB 1-1-2025.” Ethan explained, “Now I’ve got Kareem with me forever.”
The Episcopal School community held a closed memorial for Kareem, with the chapel overflowing to twice its capacity.
Alabama safety King Mack is entering the transfer portal, per 247 Sports’ Matt Zenitz.
The sophomore, who transferred to the Crimson in the offseason after one year at Penn State, totaled 14 tackles in 13 games at Alabama this season.
Mack becomes the 19th player to enter the transfer portal, following quarterback Dylan Lonergan, running back Justice Haynes, defensive linemen Jeheim Oatis, Hunter Osborne and Damon Payne Jr., edge rushers Keanu Koht and Jayshawn Ross, linebacker Jeremiah Alexander, cornerbacks Jahlil Hurley and DeVonta Smith, wide receivers Kobe Prentice, Caleb Odom, Kendrick Law, Emmanuel Henderson Jr., Jaren Hamilton and Amari Jefferson and offensive linemen Miles McVay and Naquil Betrand.
Mack is the first Alabama safety to enter the portal and the third defensive back, joining cornerbacks Jahlil Hurley and DeVonta Smith. He is also the third Alabama player to enter the transfer portal on Friday, joining Jayshawn Ross and Jeremiah Alexander.
The former four-star recruit and current 5-foot-10, 206-pounder out of St. Thomas Aquinas in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was ranked as the No. 93 prospect in the class of 2023, the No. 8 safety and the No. 23 player in the state of Florida at the time of his commitment to Penn State on June 30, 2022.
It’s worth mentioning that Alabama made a couple of coaching staff moves on Friday, including the firing of safeties coach Colin Hitschler––this season’s mentor to Mack. However, it is uncertain at this time why Hitschler was relieved.
Read More: 2025 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Offseason Tracker: Coming and Going
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