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.
Gov. Kay Ivey on Thursday formally announced the state will be beginning this historic summer with an America 250 Alabama Celebration at the State Capitol next Thursday. During the event, the governor will officially unveil a massive, 250th edition of the U.S. flag that will hang between the columns of the Capitol this summer.
“We live in the greatest nation on this Earth, and it is only fitting Alabama pay tribute to this country we are proud to call home. I am excited to invite my fellow Alabamians to the Capitol for a salute to our nation and to kick off this historic summer,” said Ivey. “There is truly no better time to be an American and an Alabamian than right now.”
The event will be open to the public and is set to occur on the front steps of the State Capitol Thursday, May 21 at 11 a.m. ahead of Memorial Day weekend. Leading up to the program, guests will be able to enjoy the sounds of the 151st Army Band. The governor invited Pell City High School student and fellow Girls Stater Amelia Alverson, who went viral for her rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” to perform.
The program will feature a musical performance by Randy Owen of Alabama. At the close of the program, four F-35 fighter jets will roar over the State Capitol for an official flyover.
The governor first announced the event Wednesday during a speech in Huntsville. There are no tickets required. Governor Ivey said she looks forward to America’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, and she “is thrilled to kick off this milestone summer with her fellow Alabamians,” Ivey’s press release concluded.
Alabama
Alabama’s Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort recognized as one of the best | WKRG.com
SPANISH FORT, Ala. (WKRG) — Beneath thousands of headstones, a life of service and sacrifice is honored at the Alabama State Veterans Cemetery in Spanish Fort.
“It is pretty profound the sense of pride in the work,” said cemetery director Joe Buschell.
“The beauty is just overwhelming, and there is so much honor here for our veterans for the community,” said Commissioner of Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Jeff Newton. “It’s just a solemn place.”
Buschell accepted the Excellence in Veterans Cemetery Operations recognition, but he says it is a team effort.
“We’re going to do whatever it takes. When the day starts, our obligation is to honor that veteran and their family,” Buschell said.
The only state veterans cemetery in Alabama is the final resting place for almost 5,000 veterans and their spouses.
“They truly care for the veterans of the state of Alabama,” said Glenn Powers, Deputy Under Secretary of Cemetery Operations for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that sets the standards for all 124 state veterans cemeteries across the U.S. “They do exactly what we want them to do, what the American citizens want them to do, take care of our veterans, honor them in perpetuity.”
Established in 2013, the 130-acre property off Highway 225 has room to expand for generations to come.
“They gifted everybody at least a part of their life, said Buschell. “At this cemetery, we have at least a couple that gifted the whole thing, so that means a lot.”
A debt of gratitude that can never fully be repaid.
Alabama residents will make their choice for U.S. Congress during the May 19 primary, and officials are urging people to vote despite an ever-evolving situation surrounding the state’s congressional maps.
Currently, there are legal disputes surrounding the Congressional districts map in use in Alabama. Following the Supreme Court’s ruling in late April on a redistricting case in Louisiana, Alabama asked for the preliminary injunction which barred them from redrawing their maps until 2030 to be lifted, which the courts have granted as of May 11.
Though there’s been some confusion in the face of ongoing legal motions regarding the maps, what is certain is that primary elections will go on as planned despite Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey calling for a special election in August for the affected congressional districts — Districts 1, 2, 6 and 7.
The Northern District Court of Alabama, which originally issued the injunction, still has to reconsider the case. The court asked state officials in a May 12 order to explain the plan for the 2026 elections and to explain how they plan to “ensure that all Alabamians may timely and efficaciously exercise their constitutional right to vote.”
There are two more elections after the primaries this month. On June 16, the state will hold primary runoff elections, and on Nov. 3, the state will host the general election. Additional candidates could come up after the primaries conclude, so once the names are finalized, the ballots may appear differently in November.
The special election in races affected by new congressional maps is currently planned for Aug. 11, though officials — including Ivey — have encouraged all voters to cast their ballots in the regular May 19 primary.
Who’s running for U.S. Senate?
The seat currently held by U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville is up for election. Tuberville, who has thrown his hat in the governor’s race, will not be returning to the position, so all candidates listed would be new to the Senate. The other seat is held by U.S. Sen. Katie Britt and won’t be open until her term expires in 2028.
Republican candidates
- Seth Burton
- Dale Shelton Deas Jr.
- Jared Hudson
- Steve Marshall
- Barry Moore
- Rodney Walker
Some names on this list are already serving in federal and Alabama state government positions, with Marshall currently serving as the state’s Attorney General, and Moore currently representing Alabama’s 1st District in the House of Representatives and previously representing the 2nd District. Of the candidates, President Donald Trump has endorsed only one, which is Moore.
Hudson is the only candidate who has attempted to run for another position, albeit unsuccessfully — he ran for sheriff of Jefferson County in 2022, but lost to incumbent Sheriff Mark Pettway.
Democratic candidates
- Dakarai Larriett
- Kyle Sweetser
- Everett Wess
- Mark S. Wheeler II
Who’s running for House of Representatives?
U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell is running unopposed in District 7. Voters in every district have candidates from both sides of the aisle to consider.
Considering the special election that is now on the horizon, candidate names may appear differently on ballots in August if different maps are approved. For the May 19 primaries, the following is how candidate names will appear.
District 1 Republican Candidates
- Jerry Carl
- James (Jimmy) Dees
- Rhett Marques
- Joshua McKee
- John Mills
- James Richardson
- Austin Sidwell
District 1 Democratic Candidates
Senate candidate Moore currently holds the District 1 position, so no candidates are incumbents. A few of the candidates in this race have previous political experience. Carl is a former member of the U.S. House and used to represent District 1, with his tenure in office lasting from 2021-25. Marques is a current Alabama State House representative.
District 2 Republican Candidates
District 2 Democratic Candidates
U.S. Rep. Figures currently holds the District 2 position.
District 3 Republican Candidates
District 3 Democratic Candidates
U.S. Rep. Rogers currently holds the District 3 position.
District 4 Republican Candidates
- Robert B. Aderholt
- Tommy Barnes
District 4 Democratic Candidates
- Amanda N. Pusczek
- Shane Weaver
U.S. Rep. Aderholt currently holds the District 4 position. His one Republican opponent, Barnes, has a history in public service, serving as a Colbert County Commissioner.
District 5 Republican Candidates
District 5 Democratic Candidates
- Jeremy Devito
- Candice Dollar Duvieilh
- Andrew Sneed
U.S. Rep. Strong currently holds the District 5 position.
District 6 Republican candidates
District 6 Democratic candidates
U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer currently holds the District 6 position.
How do I check my voter registration status?
To vote in the primary election, voters need to have been registered to vote in Alabama for 15 days before the election is scheduled to happen.
To check your registration status, visit vote.gov.
Sarah Clifton covers business for the Montgomery Advertiser. You can reach her at sclifton@montgome.gannett.com or follow her on X @sarahgclifton and TikTok @sarahgclifton. To support her work, please subscribe to the Montgomery Advertiser.
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