Alabama opens up against Duke in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA on Saturday, August 31, 2019. The game takes place at 3:30 p.m. eastern time. The game continues a several years long tradition of Alabama opening up with a non-conference opponent at a neutral site. Recent years include Louisville last year in Orlando and Florida State in Atlanta the year before.

Alabama is coming off of a 14-1 season in 2018 in which the Crimson Tide went undefeated the entire season including the SEC Championship and a win over Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff before getting crushed by Clemson in the national championship game by a score of 44-16. The conclusion to the season was a disappointment for fans after running through fourteen straight wins with a historically good team led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Many experts are picking Alabama and Clemson to meet once again in this year’s College Football Playoff as a result of both talent-loaded rosters having a fairly easy schedule during the regular season.

The Crimson Tide open up against Duke which is considered a relatively easy opponent compared to some of the bigger programs Alabama has opened up with in the past. Alabama is a heavy favorite on Saturday.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Duke Blue Devils football tv channel

The game is being played on ABC at 3:30 p.m. eastern.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Duke Blue Devils football players to watch

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is a star who had an incredible season in 2018 before coming up short against Clemson. He was also completely outshined by Clemson phenom quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Look for Tagovailoa to get back on track and have a very good 2019 season especially with his incredible receiving corps led by WR Jerry Jeudy.

Crimson Tide star linebacker Dylan Moses was just reported this week to have gone down with a season-ending injury. While Alabama is loaded with talent to replace him, it’s a significant loss. Moses was not only supremely talented, but he was considered the captain of the defense. Head coach Nick Saban will need for another player to step up on the defense with respect to leadership.

On the Duke side of the ball, David Cutcliffe is breaking in a new quarterback in Quentin Harris. Harris will have his work cut out for him against a formidable Alabama defense.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Duke Blue Devils football Vegas odds

Alabama is favored by 33.5 points over Duke. That’s up from 30.5 points when the line opened, but also down from the 35 points spread earlier this week. The over/under has come down from 61.5 to 57 points where it sits now.

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Duke Blue Devils football predictions

From the SDS week 1 predictions:

Michael: This game may be a huge talent mismatch on paper but the coaching advantage may not be as large as some assume. Daniel Jones may no longer be around to sling the football for the Blue Devils but there’s little doubt David Cutcliffe will have senior quarterback Quentin Harris ready to go in the opener. The fact that Alabama has suspended or lost every running back for this game isn’t helping either. I’ll be very interested to see how well Alabama’s secondary has adjusted from last season’s collapse. Tua Tagovailoa will likely go off in this game and if he takes the fourth quarter off as he did of half the season last fall, I like Duke to cover.

Alabama 52 Duke 20

Chris: Everyone keeps doubting Saban. Have fun with that.

Alabama 45 Duke 10

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Duke Blue Devils football history

Alabama and Duke have met three previous times. Alabama has won twice, and Duke has won one time. The largest margin of victory came in 2010 when Alabama beat Duke by a score of 62-13.

The lone Duke victory in the series came in 1945 when the Blue Devils beat the Tide by a score of 29-26.

Nick Saban opener history at Alabama

Nick Saban has never lost a season opener while he has been the head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide.

  • 2007: Alabama win over Western Carolina
  • 2008: Alabama win over Clemson
  • 2009: Alabama win over Virginia Tech
  • 2010: Alabama win over San Jose State
  • 2011: Alabama win over Kent State
  • 2012: Alabama win over Michigan
  • 2013: Alabama win over Virginia Tech
  • 2014: Alabama win over West Virginia
  • 2015: Alabama win over Wisconsin
  • 2016: Alabama win over USC
  • 2017: Alabama win over Florida State
  • 2018: Alabama win over Louisville

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the game?

3:30 p.m. eastern time on Saturday, August 31, 2019.

What channel is the game on?

ABC Network.

Where is the game being played?

The game is being played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA.

Who is favored in the game?

Alabama is favored by 35 points against Duke.