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Stacey Blackwood
May 17, 2024 6:30 am CT
The 2024 college football season is shaping up to be one for the history books. With conference realignment and the expansion of the College Football Playoff, we will all witness the ushering of a new era. There is also the fact that Nick Saban will no longer be roaming the sidelines and throwing headsets for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team as Kalen DeBoer takes over in Tuscaloosa.
One thing remains certain, if you have hopes of hoisting the national championship trophy, you must survive the treacherous waters of an SEC football schedule.
With road trips to Madison, Knoxville, Baton Rouge, and Norman, Coach DeBoer will not have an easy time during his inaugural season with the Crimson Tide. Home matchups against Georiga, Missouri, and Auburn will also be competitive for Alabama.
Let’s take a shot at ranking Alabama football’s 2024 opponents from easiest to toughest.
12
Mercer Bears (Home)Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
There’s not much to say here other than Alabama should have this one wrapped up by the end of the first quarter. The Crimson Tide completely outclasses the Bears and these types of opponents make fans desire a nine-game conference schedule.
11
South Florida Bulls (Home)Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
We all remember what happened last season in Tampa against the Bulls. Although I believe South Florida will be a good team in 2024, Alabama will want vengeance in Week 2 in Tuscaloosa. This one might get ugly.
10
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers (Home)Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
The Hilltoppers have earned the honor of being the first opponent of the post-Nick Saban era of Alabama football. While Western Kentucky is a respectable Group of Five program, the Crimson Tide should have no problem handling them to kickoff the season.
9
Vanderbilt Commodores (Away)Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
We’ve made it to our first SEC opponent of the season and although the Commodores should be improved in 2024, they are simply not in the same class as the Crimson Tide. Alabama generally plays well in Nashville and I am not expecting anything different.
8
South Carolina Gameco*cks (Home)Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
We’re finally starting to get into the meat of the schedule a little bit. South Carolina is one of those team’s that it’s hard to put your finger on how good they could be in 2024. Shane Beamer is replacing a lot of talent but has done a solid job of recruiting. Still, Alabama should take care of this one at home.
7
Auburn Tigers (Home)Jake Crandall-USA TODAY Network
Hugh Freeze is doing his best to turn around the Auburn program but I don’t think he is quite there yet. Alabama has dominated the Tigers in Tuscaloosa recently and should do much of the same this go around.
6
Wisconsin Badgers (Away)Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Camp Randall is home to one of the best environments in college football. The Badgers are a good team and will be a great early-season challenge for Coach DeBoer and the Tide. This one will be tight for a while but Alabama has too much talent for the Badgers to match.
5
Missouri Tigers (Home)Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Some folks may think that Mizzou belongs a little farther down the list and they may be right, and while I believe the Tigers have a chance to be a great team, Coach Drinkwitz needs to prove he can sustain success first. Alabama should take care of Missouri at home.
4
Oklahoma Sooners (Away)Michael C. Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
A trip to Norman before the Iron Bowl is something new and different for Alabama. Oklahoma features one of the best young quarterbacks in the sport with Jackson Arnold and will be a tough team to beat on the road late in the season.
3
Tennessee Volunteers (Away)Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Two years ago Tennessee took down Alabama in Knoxville in heartbreaking fashion for Tide players and fans. The Vols will once again be a tough team to beat in their place and Alabama will have to be at its best to walk out of Neyland Stadium with a win.
2
LSU Tigers (Away)Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Death Valley is the most electrifying environment in college football and Brian Kelly has the Tigers in prime position to be a playoff contender. Despite losing a lot of offensive talent from the 2023 squad, LSU has recruited well and will field one of the most talented rosters in the SEC. It’s never easy to win in Baton Rouge.
1
Georgia Bulldogs (Home)Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
This was the obvious choice. Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs are the premier program in college football and in just his fourth game as the Alabama head coach, Kalen DeBoer will be tasked with taking them on. Carson Beck is perhaps the best quarterback in the country and the rest of the UGA roster is loaded as well. September 28 inside Bryant-Denny Stadium should be fun.
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