Nearly three weeks after the reports first surfaced, a potentially epic college football matchup has officially come to fruition.
In twin press releases, Alabama and Florida State confirmed that the two powerhouses have agreed to open the 2017 season in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. The game will be played Sept. 2 -- time to be determined -- and will be played at the new Atlanta Falcons Stadium.
Provided they’re still at their respective schools, this could be a game pitting mentor vs. pupil. The first offensive coordinating job for FSU’s Jimbo Fisher at a Power Five school came in 2000 at LSU. The Tigers’ head coach at the time? The Tide’s Nick Saban, of course.
“This is a great opportunity to open the 2017 season against an outstanding Florida State program,"Saban said in a statement. “Jimbo has done an excellent job there and this will provide a great challenge for our team. Having this game first on the schedule will give our players plenty to look forward to and prepare for in the offseason.”
“We are very excited to be opening the 2017 season against Alabama at the new Falcons stadium in Atlanta,” Fisher said in his. “Scheduling top non-conference opponents is critical in today’s day and age. These are two great football programs and there will be a tremendous atmosphere. It’s a great matchup for our fans and for college football. We are looking forward to the opportunity.”
The Tide and the Seminoles have played four times previously, with the first coming in 1965 and the last in 2007. The Tide holds a 2-1-1 edge in the miniseries.
The 2017 game will be UA’s fourth time playing in the Chick-fil-A opener, with the Tide winning each of the first three games. FSU, meanwhile, will be playing in its first.