How to Watch East Carolina at No. 13 Alabama: TV Channel, Live Stream, Start Time

Alabama opens the 2026 season at home Saturday as the Crimson Tide begins another push toward the College Football Playoff.

by Ayomide Adeduyite

Sep 5, 2026

Alabama opens the 2026 season at home Saturday as the Crimson Tide begins another push toward the College Football Playoff.

Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

No. 13 Alabama begins its 2026 season Saturday afternoon when the Crimson Tide hosts East Carolina at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama enters the season looking to build on a 2025 campaign that ended with a College Football Playoff appearance and a Rose Bowl loss to eventual national champion Indiana.

The Crimson Tide will have a new quarterback leading the offense after Ty Simpson was selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Alabama turns to Keelon Russell, giving head coach Kalen DeBoer a new starter.

East Carolina is also beginning its season with a major challenge. The Pirates travel to Tuscaloosa for their opener, marking only the second meeting between the programs. Alabama won the first matchup 23-22 in Birmingham in 1998.

How to Watch East Carolina at No. 13 Alabama

Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell carries the ball at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

David Leong-Imagn Images

Time: 12 p.m. ET
Location: Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
TV: ABC
Live Stream: ESPN app

East Carolina Pirates

Head Coach: Blake Harrell

Harrell enters another season leading the Pirates, who will open the year against one of the nation’s top-ranked teams.

Starting Quarterback: ECU will enter the matchup with a new-look offense as the Pirates begin the 2026 campaign.

East Carolina returns several contributors from its 2025 team and will look to make a statement in one of the toughest road environments in college football.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Head Coach: Kalen DeBoer

DeBoer enters his third season at Alabama after guiding the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff in 2025.

Starting Quarterback: Keelon Russell

Russell takes over as Alabama’s starting quarterback after Ty Simpson’s departure to the NFL. The sophomore will be tasked with leading an offense expected to compete for another SEC title.

Key Players: RB Jam Miller, WR Germie Bernard

Miller and Bernard return as important pieces of Alabama’s offense. Miller led the Crimson Tide with 504 rushing yards in 2025, while Bernard led the team with 862 receiving yards.