Alabama Football: Crimson Tide Finalize 2014 Schedule

Although the 2013 season is still in progress, it doesn’t hurt to gaze ahead at what awaits the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2014.

After finalizing an agreement to play Southern Miss at home on Wednesday, Alabama’s 2014 schedule is now set, via Rolltide.com.

Date	Opponent	Site
Aug. 30	West Virginia	Atlanta, GA
Sept. 6	Florida Atlantic	Bryant-Denny Stadium
Sept. 13	Southern Miss	Bryant-Denny Stadium
Sept. 20	*Florida	Bryant-Denny Stadium
Oct. 4	*at Ole Miss	Oxford, MS
Oct. 11	*at Arkansas	Fayetteville, AK
Oct. 18	*Texas A&M	Bryant-Denny Stadium
Oct. 25	*at Tennessee	Knoxville, TN
Nov. 8	*at LSU	Baton Rouge, LA
Nov. 15	*Mississippi State	Bryant-Denny Stadium
Nov. 22	Western Carolina	Bryant-Denny Stadium
Nov. 29	*Auburn	Bryant-Denny Stadium

*Denotes SEC opponent

Immediately, the game that jumps out is the season opener in Atlanta against West Virginia. It will mark the first meeting between the two schools.

The contest will take place in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Game. It’s the second consecutive year the Tide have been featured in it and the fourth time overall. Alabama ousted Clemson and Virginia Tech in the 2008 and 2009 games, respectively, while opening in Atlanta against the Hokies this season.

The September schedule is very favorable for the Tide. The team plays all three September contests at Bryant-Denny Stadium and only faces one SEC opponent (Florida).

But that’s where the schedule gets tricky.

Following a Week 5 bye, Alabama plays four out of five games on the road in a six-week span from Oct. 4 to Nov. 8. It’s a stretch that includes contests against Ole Miss, Texas A&M, LSU and a much-improved Tennessee squad.

Expect to learn a lot about a Tide squad breaking in a new quarterback during these games.

Fortunately, the schedule wraps up in a lighter manner, with the final three games played in Tuscaloosa.

All in all, Alabama will play seven games at home, four on the road and one on a neutral field.

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