Dec. 19, 2008

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -

The University of Alabama finalized and released its 2009 football schedule on Friday and will open the season on September 5 against Virginia Tech in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The Crimson Tide did the same in 2008, defeating Clemson in the first-ever Chick-fil-A College Kickoff.

"It was a great atmosphere in the Georgia Dome to play the (Clemson) game," said Alabama head coach Nick Saban on Friday in reference to the Virginia Tech announcement. "It is great exposure for our football players and our football team. I believe that playing a non-conference opponent that has the national reputation, and will probably be a top 10 team next year like Virginia Tech, is certainly a challenge for our players and something for us to look forward to in the offseason. This will be the third year in a row that we have done a non-conference game at a neutral site to improve our schedule."

The full 2009 slate includes seven home games, four road games and the neutral site game against the Hokies. UA will face Florida International in the home opener on September 12 and open SEC play two weeks later at home against Arkansas. The other three SEC home games are South Carolina, Tennessee and LSU. The road portion of the SEC schedule includes Kentucky, Ole Miss, Mississippi State and Auburn.

2009 Alabama Football Schedule