Kalen DeBoer describes his approach to non-conference scheduling

Non-conference scheduling was a hotly debated topic of conversation during the first season of the 12-team College Football Playoff model.

With more teams than ever guaranteed a shot to make the playoffs and compete for a national championship, there are fewer benefits of power conference teams playing each other. Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer revealed his perspective on the matter, saying that it depends on how many conference games a team is playing.

“We’re at eight right now, and so this next year with Florida State as the opener and then a couple of weeks later with Wisconsin, it’s a good, competitive schedule,” DeBoer said ahead of the Reese’s Senior Bowl. “That’s what we want leading into conference play. So that’s the way we want it. We wanna be challenged and be tested going into SEC action.”

Alabama will play FSU right away for its season opener on Aug. 30 in a true road game before hosting Wisconsin two weeks later in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide previously went to Madison for the matchup in 2024.

However, Alabama starts SEC play right after the Wisconsin game. They’ll be on the road at Georgia for their next outing on Sept. 27, albeit after a bye in Week 4. The Crimson Tide look to seek revenge against Vanderbilt for last season’s loss in Week 6, and then play at Missouri, vs. Tennessee, at South Carolina and vs. LSU in consecutive weeks giving Alabama no time to take a breath.

Last season, the road trip to Wisconsin was the only Power 4 non-conference opponent that Alabama played. Alabama kicked off its season against Western Kentucky in 2024 but opted for a bit tougher route in 2025.

To Alabama’s credit, they’re not shying away from competition in college football’s current landscape. Playing two non-conference games against fellow Power 4 opponents this season, if they emerge victorious in both outings it will only bolster their argument to the CFP Committee. If they drop one, or even both of those matchups, the Crimson Tide has their SEC schedule to fall back on as multiple matchups against opponents scattered throughout the AP Top 25 are expected

Kickoff between the Crimson Tide and Seminoles in Week 1 is set for Aug. 30 inside Doak Campbell Stadium.

For now, DeBoer is set to spend a little time in Mobile, AL at the Reese’s Senior Bowl to check out Jalen Milroe, alongside teammates in tight end C.J. Dippre, defensive lineman Tim Smith and punter James Burnip.

Kickoff is set for Saturday, Feb. 1 at 2:30 p.m. ET live on the NFL Network.