Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Duke Blue Devils Game Notes
By Ronald Evans
The Alabama Crimson Tide kicks off the 2019 season with a nationally televised contest against the Duke Blue Devils in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Alabama Crimson Tide returns to the oh-so-friendly confines of Mercedes-Benz Stadium Saturday afternoon.
For the Crimson Tide traveling to Atlanta for a game is familiar territory. In the Nick Saban era, the Alabama Crimson Tide has played 12 games in Atlanta. The record is 11-1. The sole loss came against Florida in the 2008 SEC Championship.
The Crimson Tide played in the first college game in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in 2017, defeating Jimbo Fisher’s Florida State team. The Tide is undefeated (3-0) in Atlanta’s new football showplace and two of those wins have been for Championships.
The outcome on Saturday is not expected to be different. The last and only time the Duke Blue Devils took down the Crimson Tide was in the 1945 Sugar Bowl.
The two schools have a somewhat odd history. Wallace Wade became disgruntled in Tuscaloosa and left for Durham, NC at the end of the 1930 season. The three-time Crimson Tide, National Championship coach went on to win 110 games while coaching the Blue Devils. Current Duke head coach, David Cutcliffe is a University of Alabama graduate and former student manager in Paul Bryant’s athletic department.
Broadcast Details
Television: ABC Network; Play-By-Play by Steve Levy, Analysis by Brian Griese and Todd McShay, Sideline Reporter is Molly McGrath)
Team Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network; Eli Gold and John Parker Wilson, along with Chris Stewart and Rashad Johnson
CTSN is available on Sirius/XM at 136/191
National Radio: ESPN; Mark Kestecher, Tom Ramsey and Ben Hartsock
Game Details
The kickoff is scheduled for 2:26 pm CST. Weather will not be a factor since the roof of Mercedes-Benz Stadium will remain closed.
Game Outlook
The injury to Alabama Crimson Tide starting linebacker, Dylan Moses had little effect on the projected four-plus touchdown spread for the game. The Tide goes into the game ranked at No. 2 in both the AP and Coaches polls. The Duke Blue Devils are unranked.
Nick Saban is a perfect 12-0 in season openers as the Alabama Crimson Tide head coach.
Next. Bold Predictions for Alabama vs. Duke. dark
The most unusual aspect of the game is Alabama football is expected to start five true freshmen. No matter how many true freshmen start, there will be an abundance of youth in action Saturday afternoon.