TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Alabama and Georgia State have agreed to play two days earlier to help the Crimson Tide avoid a short week of preparation for the Iron Bowl.
The two teams will meet on Thursday, Nov. 18, ahead of Alabama's regular-season finale against Auburn the following Friday, Nov. 26. Kickoff time hasn't been set.
The Tide's final six Southeastern Conference opponents will each have a bye week before facing the defending national champions. Under the original schedule, Alabama would have had only six days to prepare for Auburn, which has an open date after facing Georgia.
"We have a number of scheduling challenges this year in football and this was the best way for us to deal with one of those," Alabama athletic director Mal Moore said. "We explored all options available to us, with our players' health and safety in mind. This was our best remedy."
Georgia State's fledgling program is led by former Alabama coach Bill Curry.
Alabama had requested the change, and Curry and Georgia State athletic director Cheryl Levick obliged.
"This whole Alabama opportunity has been a huge boost for our program from the very beginning," said Curry, who was Alabama's coach from 1987-89. "We are fortunate to be able to play a game in Tuscaloosa, and we believe that moving from Saturday to Thursday can give it added appeal for our players and our fans because Thursday night games have become so special in college football."
Thursday
October 31st, 2024
3:18AM
