Could Alabama Play Notre Dame Week 1?

Last week the Big 10 and Pac-12 announced they would not be competing in non-conference matchups this fall, cancelling the previously scheduled Alabama vs. Southern Cal opening game of the season. Losing out on the game will cost both schools $6 million due to the high profile nature of the game. The Crimson Tide has been exploring alternative options behind the scenes to replace Southern Cal on the schedule with a marquee opponent.

Gary Stoken, the President of the Chic-fil-A Kickoff Classic admitted on the Thom Abraham show that Alabama has been exploring options of playing Notre Dame in its season opener. Tuscaloosa, South Bend and Dallas have all been considered as potential sites for the proposed matchup.

The Crimson Tide hasn't played the Fighting Irish since the 2013 National Championship matchup in Miami, Florida. The Tide rolled that evening defeating Notre Dame 42-14 however Alabama still trails the Fighting Irish in the all-time series 2-5.

Coach Bear Bryant lost to the Irish three times during his storied career and only his immediate predecessor, Ray Perkins, was able to deliver the Tide its first win over Notre Dame in 1986.

Alabama and Notre Dame are scheduled to play a home-and-home matchup in 2028-29 already, but the two schools may be perfect solutions for one another in a bad situation. The Fighting Irish will be down three games with the Big 10 and Pac-12's decisions and Alabama is down just one game currently due to the Pac-12's choice.

Replacing Southern Cal with Notre Dame could present Jerry Jones a marquee matchup that incentivizes him to host the Tide in the opening weekend matchup.