Alabama football's second season under coach Kalen DeBoer ended in gruesome fashion, with a 38-3 drubbing at the hands of eventual national champion Indiana in the Rose Bowl back in January.
The question of whether the 2026 season will produce better results will begin to be answered this weekend.
Entering the third season since legendary coach Nick Saban's retirement, the No. 11 Crimson Tide will open their 2026 campaign against East Carolina on Saturday, Sept. 5 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
In its first two seasons under DeBoer, Alabama hasn't been the overpowering juggernaut that it was for much of Saban's 17-year reign. Though it was able to
make the College Football Playoff and, once there, advance to the quarterfinals, it finished with four losses for the second-consecutive season. Prior to DeBoer's hiring after the 2023 season, the Tide hadn't lost more than three games in a season since 2007.
Though it's a sizable favorite to win, Alabama will get an interesting early challenge from East Carolina, which is coming off a nine-win season in 2025 and was picked to finish fifth in the 14-team American Conference in the league's preseason poll.
Watch Alabama vs. East Carolina football live with Fubo (free trial)
It will be just the second meeting ever between the Tide and Pirates. Alabama won the only previous matchup, a 23-22 victory in 1998.
Here are some predictions, how to watch the Alabama vs. East Carolina game, including the TV channel, start time, streaming information and more:
Alabama vs East Carolina prediction, picks, betting odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Sept. 1
- Spread: Alabama (-28)
- Over/under: 52.5 points
- Moneyline: Alabama (-5000) | East Carolina (+2200)
Alabama 45, East Carolina 17: The Pirates figure to be a quality team this season, but they suffered far too many losses over the offseason, including quarterback Katin Houser (now at Illinois) and offensive coordinator John David Baker (Mississippi), to realistically keep up on the road with a Tide team with realistic playoff aspirations. — Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Network
Alabama 45, East Carolina 10: Questions surround Alabama's offense heading into the 2026. Position battles are seemingly secured with Keelon Russell at quarterback, William Sanders and, likely, Jayvin James on the offensive line and a set hierarchy in both the running back and wide receiver rooms. But taking a step back, it's a brand new offensive line and a brand new quarterback looking to revitalize the run game and set the tone with an explosive passing game.
But as Alabama heads into East Carolina, there is no real talk about growing pains. It's anticipation, one where Alabama can't wait to show what it has been working on for the past eight months. Paired with a defense that is returning ample production in the secondary and bringing in veterans to bolster the pass rush, don't be surprised if the Crimson Tide explodes right out of the gate against the Pirates. — Colin Gay, Tuscaloosa News
More USA TODAY staff picks:
- John Brice: Alabama
- Matt Hayes: Alabama
- Jordan Mendoza: Alabama
- Paul Myerberg: Alabama
- Erick Smith: Alabama
- Eddie Timanus: Alabama
- Blake Toppmeyer: Alabama
Alabama vs East Carolina weather: How hot is it going to be?
James Spann, the longtime weather voice of Birmingham's ABC 33/40 affiliate, foresees Alabama's season opener at home against East Carolina on Saturday as one of the hottest Crimson Tide games on record. Temps upward of 100 degrees, with a 110-degree heat index, could be in store against the Pirates.
Here's how the Crimson Tide plan to deal with the heat, per Tuscaloosa News' Chase Goodbread.
Who is Alabama starting QB? Meet Keelon Russell
Keelon Russell has been named the starting quarterback for Alabama, beating out Austin Mack after a lengthy competition this spring and into camp.
A sophomore, Russell appeared in two games for the Crimson Tide last season, completing 11 of 15 passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns in wins against Louisiana-Monroe and Eastern Illinois.
The 6-3, 207-pound Russell was a five-star recruit coming out of Duncanville High School in Duncanville, Texas. He was ranked by 247Sports as the No. 2 overall prospect in the 2025 recruiting class, behind only Michigan quarterback Bryce Underwood. After decommitting from SMU, he committed to Alabama in June 2024, giving coach Kalen DeBoer one of his first major recruiting victories after succeeding Nick Saban earlier that year.
What TV channel is Alabama vs East Carolina on today?
- TV channel: ABC
- Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
Alabama and East Carolina football's Week 1 game will be broadcast nationally on ABC. Bob Wischusen (play-by-play) and Louis Riddick (analyst) will be on the call while Stormy Buonantony will serve as the sideline reporter.
Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app, which requires a valid cable login to access, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
Alabama vs East Carolina time today
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 5
- Start time: Noon ET
- Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
Alabama and East Carolina are scheduled for a noon ET kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 5 from Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Alabama vs East Carolina prediction: How will Keelon Russell, Tide handle heat?
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