Alabama will take some heat about the time it welcomes Charleston Southern to Tuscaloosa in late November.
But the Crimson Tide’s schedule mixes in some non-conference challenges with that glorified scrimmage, which any team playing in the ultra-challenging SEC West can use to catch its breath and get healthy.
Bama will be a betting favorite in most, if not all, of its regular season games (at Georgia could be an exception). But there are potential missteps to reaching goals of an SEC and national title. Alabama didn’t catch any breaks with the teams it drew from the SEC East and has no easy games within its own division.
Analyzing Alabama’s 2015 schedule, here’s a closer look:
FAVORABLE MATCHUPS
As we mentioned earlier, Vegas might label every game favorable for the Tide. But a few would represent especially big surprises if Alabama loses. Middle Tennessee could offer more of a challenge than some fans expect, but it’s hard to imagine the Crimson Tide losing these games.
- vs. Middle Tennessee, Sept. 12
- vs. Louisiana Monroe, Sept. 26
- vs. Arkansas, Oct. 10
- at Texas A&M, Oct. 17
- at Mississippi State, Nov. 14
BIGGEST GAMES
The SEC schedule features plenty of amazing rivalries — the Iron Bowl is always going make everyone’s list of huge games — but the season opener against Wisconsin could impact the College Football Playoff race and the way we all view the SEC vs. the Big Ten. Many believe the trip to Georgia is an SEC Championship Game preview. Don’t forget an opportunity for some revenge when Ole Miss comes to town. Alabama fans haven’t.
- vs. Wisconsin, Sept. 5
- vs. Ole Miss, Sept. 19
- at Georgia, Oct. 3
- at Auburn, Nov. 28
ROUGH PATCH
Frankly, there are a few stretches that could qualify with the Crimson Tide looking at a pretty tough schedule overall, but back-to-back games against teams who could also be SEC title contenders is tough. It helps to get both games at home with a bye in between. But games against the Vols and Tigers are sandwiched between a pair of road trips in late October and early November, so fatigue could also be a factor.
- vs. Tennessee, Oct. 24
- vs. LSU, Nov. 7
TOUGHEST TILT
There’s an added challenge to playing a Top 25 Wisconsin team at a neutral site to start the season when you are introducing a new quarterback and seven other new starters on offense, but Alabama should still have an edge in that one. Among Ole Miss, Tennessee and LSU, none of them will be easy to beat, but the Tide doesn’t often lose at home. It’s the Oct. 3 matchup at Georgia that could prove most difficult. Many think this is the year the Bulldogs finally break through and you can bet Athens will be rocking.
SEASON DEFINING STRETCH
- Oct. 17-Nov. 14
Alabama faces four SEC opponents, two at home and two on the road. A relatively early loss to Georgia or Wisconsin could be overcome in the eyes of the playoff selection committee, but later losses are harder on the resume. Whether the Crimson Tide comes out of this stretch unscathed could determine whether the regular season finale at Auburn has huge national implications or is just a game between two very good, very bitter rivals.
Shane Mettlen is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Texas A&M, Missouri and Alabama.
