Report: ‘Strong Possibility’ BYU Will Play Alabama Crimson Tide To Open College Football Season

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – BYU playing the SEC’s Alabama Crimson Tide to open the 2020 college football season is a “strong possibility”, according to AL.com.

On Saturday, July 18, AL.com’s Matt Zenitz reported that Alabama appeared to be closing in on BYU as its first opponent this season.

“If the Crimson Tide ends up playing more than just SEC teams this year, there’s a strong possibility the Tide will open the season against BYU, sources told AL.com,” Zenitz wrote.

#BYU vs. Alabama in Week 1 would be an incredible opportunity. Cougar fans, hope and pray the SEC doesn't go to Conference-Only for this fall.#BYUFootball @kslsports https://t.co/W9L0mH6bPg

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) July 18, 2020

Currently, the Cougars and Crimson Tide are without games in the first week of the season after the Pac-12 Conference announced in mid-July that its team would not play non-conference games in 2020.

BYU was scheduled to open the season against the Pac-12’s Utah Utes on September 3.

Alabama was slated to play against the Pac-12’s USC Trojans at AT&T Stadium, the home the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, on September 5.

Series History

The Cougars and Crimson Tide have only played each other once in football.

In its only matchup against Alabama, BYU lost to the Crimson Tide 38-31 in the 1998 season opener in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, on Sept. 5, 1998. (Courtesy of Deseret News)

On September 5, 1998, BYU traveled to Bryant-Denny Stadium and fell to the Tide 38-31.

#BYU’s lone meeting against Alabama was in 1998. Classic game. #BYUFootball @kslsports pic.twitter.com/G6WJsm0DC9

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) July 18, 2020

Alabama Crimson Tide

Nick Saban coached the Crimson Tide to an 11-2 record in 2019. Alabama capped off the year with a 35-16 victory over No. 14 Michigan in the Citrus Bowl. The Tide finished the season ranked No. 8 in the country in both the AP and Coaches Top 25 polls.

Alabama is replacing its quarterback in 2020 after Tua Tagovailoa entered the NFL Draft and was selected No. 5 overall by the Miami Dolphins.

The presumed starting QB for the Crimson Tide this season is Mac Jones. After Tagovailoa suffered an injury late last season, Jones started Alabama’s final three games and led them to a 2-1 record with the only loss coming by three points to rival Auburn on the road.