The long-awaited 2021 Alabama Football season begins Saturday afternoon in Atlanta. Alabama Crimson Tide fans are excited to see the Tide’s re-staffed offense and expecting a much-improved Alabama Football defense.
The game brings to a close an impressive run of season-opener, out-of-conference games played at neutral sites. The Crimson Tide is 6-0 in Chick-fil-A Kickoff Games, and during Nick Saban’s Tide tenure, is 14-1 in Atlanta. The lone loss being the 2008 SEC Championship game.
Going back to that 2008 season, the Crimson Tide is the winningest team in the FBS; 163 victories. According to rolltide.com, the Crimson Tide goes into Saturday’s game with the longest current, scoring streak in major college football, having scored 30 points or more, for 26 straight games.
Miami players will not have a rematch on their minds Saturday. As Tide fans know well, the last time the two teams played was in the Jan. 1, 1993, National Championship contest.
There are three coaching stats that one day (when he has time to reflect) may mean much to Nick Saban. They are already important to Alabama football fans.
Most Regular Season SEC Wins
- Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant – 159 wins
- Nick Saban – 134 wins
- Steve Spurrier – 131 wins
Most Regular Season Victories – All Games
- Paul Bryant (Kentucky and Alabama) – 292 wins
- Nick Saban (LSU and Alabama) – 212 wins
- Steve Spurrier (Florida and South Carolina) – 206 wins
SEC Regular Season Conference Winning Percentage
- Nick Saban (LSU and Alabama) 82.7 percent
- Robert Neyland (Tennessee) 78.7 percent
- Frank Thomas (Alabama) 76.5 percent
- Paul Bryant (Kentucky and Alabama) 76.4 percent
- 5. Urban Meyer (Florida) 75 percent
Note: The data includes SEC Championship games
Alabama Football Season Opener Notes
- The Crimson Tide will have at least 11 new starters against Miami.
- The Hurricanes return 19 starters.
- The Crimson Tide is on a 14 game winning streak.
- Miami lost its last two games in the 2020 season.
- Alabama is ranked No. 1 in both preseason polls.
- Miami is ranked No. 14 in the AP Poll and No. 16 in the Coaches Poll.
- The two teams have played 17 times and the Crimson Tide holds a 14-3 record.
- The Crimson Tide has 16 players named to preseason All-SEC teams, including eight selected for the first team.
- Miami had two players named to the All-ACC preseason first team.
Media Sources for the 2:30 PM CST Kickoff
- ABC will broadcast the game, with the team of Sean McDonough, Toff Blackledge, Todd McShay and Molly McGrath.
- The Crimson Tide Sports Network will be available on Sirius/XM 135/192
Most Important Matchup for Alabama Crimson Tide
The most important matchup will be Alabama Crimson Tide outside linebackers Will Anderson Jr. and Chris Allen getting pressure on Miami quarterback D’Eriq King. King, now playing in his sixth college football season (he is older than Tua) has all the skills required of a game-changing QB.
Saturday Morning Alabama Football Starter and Injury Info
The latest Crimson Tide buzz is about expected starts at center for Darrian Dalcourt and right tackle for Chris Owens. Also, DeMarcco Hellams is not expected to play and LaBryan Ray is doubtful. None of this information comes from official sources.
Game Odds
The Crimson Tide is a 19.5 point favorite over the Hurricanes.
Mark down one more win for the Nick Saban record book. The Alabama Crimson Tide will roll in Atlanta, keeping its multiple win streaks alive by taking down the Hurricanes.