As the regular football season approaches its conclusion, the No. 10 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide will face Eastern Illinois in their final home game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. This match is set for Saturday, November 22, at 1 p.m. CT. Notably, Alabama has never played against Eastern Illinois in its football history.
Alabama’s Recent Performance
Alabama enters this game following a decisive 52-7 victory over Mercer, showcasing their dominance. In that game, starting quarterback Jalen Milroe led the team before exiting after a successful touchdown drive.
- Thirteen players caught passes, combining for 23 receptions.
- At least 18 Crimson Tide players made tackles during the game.
The Crimson Tide have a strong record against Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) opponents. Alabama has faced an FCS team each season since 2009, achieving victories in all of these encounters. The closest contest occurred in 2011 when Georgia Southern lost 45-21.
Recent Matches Against FCS Teams
Here’s a recap of Alabama’s last ten games against FCS opponents:
| Date | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Nov. 16, 2024 | Mercer | 52-7 |
| Nov. 18, 2023 | Chattanooga | 66-10 |
| Nov. 19, 2022 | Austin Peay | 34-0 |
| Sept. 11, 2021 | Mercer | 48-14 |
| Nov. 23, 2019 | Western Carolina | 66-3 |
| Nov. 17, 2018 | The Citadel | 50-17 |
| Nov. 18, 2017 | Mercer | 56-0 |
| Nov. 19, 2016 | Chattanooga | 31-3 |
| Nov. 21, 2015 | Charleston Southern | 56-6 |
| Nov. 22, 2014 | Western Carolina | 48-14 |
Coaching Insights
Head coach Kalen DeBoer has never faced Eastern Illinois as a head coach, although he has experience preparing against them. Previously, as an offensive coordinator, he faced the Panthers three times and recorded one win and two losses. His teams continued this dominance by defeating Eastern Illinois 52-0 in 2019 while at Indiana.
Injuries and Team Updates
Alabama will be missing several key players for the matchup against Eastern Illinois. Center Parker Brailsford has been seen with a walking boot and is expected to miss the game alongside Germie Bernard and Josh Cuevas. Joseph Ionata is set to take on the backup center role.
The Crimson Tide will conclude their regular season against rival Auburn on November 29 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Viewing Information
Fans can watch the Alabama vs. Eastern Illinois game on SEC Network+ or stream it via the ESPN app. Kickoff is at 1 p.m. CT at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
