Alabama Football: Following SEC Football today and a Tide Update

Alabama football kicks off today. Plenty will happen before the Tide takes on Missouri. Check out an SEC-wide preview.

Finally, finally, finally, Alabama football and the rest of the SEC begin play today. The seven home field environments will be quite different than normal. Cautious virus-protection procedures will be maintained.

Get past a different coin toss protocol, masks on game officials, and gaiters worn by players (for use during breaks), and everything else will be normal football. As in, intense, physical, confrontational, SEC football.

Stadium attendance will generally be 20-25 percent of normal capacity. Vanderbilt is the exception. The Commodores open in Oxford, MS., but the Dores have three home games in October and their plan is for zero fans.

The Saturday night capacity at Faurot Field in Columbia, MO is 15,655 fans. Missouri has been COVID-impacted more than most teams. The Tigers expect to field 61 scholarship players Saturday night. The SEC has a 2020 season requirement that 53 scholarship players must be available for teams to compete. Inside the 51, there must be one quarterback, seven offensive linemen and five defensive linemen. It is possible for teams to ask SEC Commissioner, Greg Sankey to define a game a ‘no contest.’ The reason for such a request would be a head coach believing his team roster is too depleted by quarantines to be competitive in a game.

Saturday SEC Game Schedule and TV Channels

All times C.S.T.

• Florida at Ole Miss – 11:00 AM on ESPN
• Kentucky at Auburn – 11:00 AM on SEC Network
• Mississippi at LSU – 2:30 PM on CBS
• Georgia at Arkansas – 3:00 PM on SEC Network
• Alabama at Missouri – 6:00 PM on ESPN
• Tennessee at South Carolina – 6:30 PM on SEC Network
• Vanderbilt at Texas A&M – 6:30 PM on SEC Network Alternate

The Alabama Crimson Tide flew out of Tuscaloosa Friday afternoon. A contingent of Crimson Tide fans is expected to have snatched up available tickets. At the less than 16,000 capacity, the game is a sellout.

Handling the broadcast for ESPN are Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge, Todd McShay and Allison Williams. Also available, will be the Crimson Tide Sports Network team featuring Eli Gold and John Parker Wilson, along with Rashad Johnson.

The Crimson Tide leads the series at 4-2, with a current streak of four wins. Learn more about the history and the two losses to Mizzou.

Saturday Update: Per Yahoo Sports, Alabama football assistant, Charles Kelly will miss today’s game. Secondary coach, Charlie Harbison will also be unavailable for Missouri.

Alabama Football Betting Odds

The Action Network shows an average spread of 28 points. The game opened at 26.5 points. Alabama football fans seeking some insight on that spread should read Zachary Mangum’s Math-based prediction. Also available for consideration is a prediction from Bama Hammer Contributor, Ronald Moody, who is bullish on the Tide. A counter opinion can be considered in our post Why the Tide Will Not Cover.

Nothing against Drinkwitz but if he runs any of Gus’ high school, hide a wide receiver or a running back behind the offensive line, nonsense – we’ll be loudly booing the TV.