On Saturday, the Alabama Crimson Tide begins its 2021 home season at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The home opener opponent is the FCS, Southern Conference, Mercer Bears.
The two teams have played three times going back to the 1939 season. The most recent meeting was in 2017 with the Alabama Crimson Tide winning 56-0. Mercer was 5-6 last season, with most of those games taking place in February, March and April. Mercer was 4-8, in its traditional format (fall) 2019 season.
Mercer opened its 2021 season by winning 69-0 over Point University. The Point University Skyhawks are an NAIA program. The school does not offer football scholarships.
Drew Cronic is in his second season as Mercer’s Head Coach. Cronic’s three coordinators (a DC and co-OCs) are also in their second Mercer seasons. Cronic came to Mercer after two strong seasons at NCAA DII, Lenior-Rhyne, where his teams compiled a 25-3 record.
Where to watch Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Mercer
For those not going to Bryant-Denny for the 3:00 PM CST kickoff, the game can be seen on the SEC Network. The SEC broadcast team will be Tom Hart, Jordan Rogers and Cole Cubelic.
As always the Crimson Tide Sports Network will provide the radio broadcast with Eli Gold, John Parker Wilson, Rashad Johnson and Chris Stewart. It will be available on Sirius/XM, 81/81.
Alabama vs. Miami Hurricanes Odds
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Should Alabama play FCS games?
For many Tide fans, the answer is a quick no. Nick Saban has long said FBS schools should only compete against FBS schools. Few other SEC coaches have agreed with Saban. Should a change be made across the FBS, ending games with FCS schools, the FCS programs will need funding assistance. The often called ‘payday’ games are essential to many FCS budgets.
Such FBS vs. FCS games are rarely expected to be competitive. Don’t tell that to the six FBS programs that lost to FCS teams in week one of the 2021 college football season. Certainly don’t ever take an FCS program lightly in earshot of Nick Saban. He is a staunch believer in taking every opponent seriously. That is a big reason why the Alabama Crimson Tide has defeated 98 consecutive unranked teams.
Alabama Injury Update
(this section will be updated throughout the week)
OUT: Chris Allen, Xavier Williams, Camar Wheaton (did not play against Miami – extent of injury not known, but not believed to be serious)
PROBABLE: DeMarcco Hellams, Kendall Randolph
QUESTIONABLE: LaBryan Ray
SUSPENDED: Quandarrius Robinson
Henry To’o To’o, who hurt an elbow against Miami, should be fine for the Mercer game.
As of Sept. 9, changes in injury status updated in bold
Game Prediction
As everyone who follows college football knows, the Alabama Crimson Tide will win big.