Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsFriday, August 7, 2026

Alabama and USC will meet again in Arlington for 2020 season opener

Alabama beat USC, 52-6, in the 2016 opening weekend.

Alabama v USC
Alabama v USC
Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

Alabama and USC will open their seasons against each other once again, with a meeting announced Wednesday for a 2020 showdown in Arlington. It will mark the second time in four seasons that these two will play each other in AT&T Stadium — in 2016, the Tide crushed the Trojans during Week 1, with a 52-6 blowout.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to open another season at the AdvoCare Classic in 2020,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said in a statememnt. “Our team and our fans have always enjoyed playing in North Texas and AT&T Stadium is a fantastic competitive environment. This event has always been first-class with the intensity of a bowl game. We are also pleased to have the chance to once again face USC, and we look forward to a great game.”

That game was also a revenge game of sorts for then-Alabama OC Lane Kiffin — remember how USC fired him on an airport tarmac in 2013 and everything? Good times! Before the game, Kiffin was passing out candy to heckling USC fans. After, he dapped up a whole line of his former Trojans, too.

Jerry World hasn’t exactly been kind to USC in the past. There was the Alabama blowout, and, at the end of last season, the Trojans lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Cotton Bowl, 24-7.

Meanwhile Alabama has won three times in the venue, with the aforementioned 2016 game, a 35-17 Wisconsin victory in 2015, and a 41-14 win over Michigan in 2012.

Despite how the game two years ago went, this still should be a good matchup for USC, as Conquest Chronicles points out:

2020 would be a decent time for the Trojans to play Alabama as the Trojans will likely have a seasoned quarterback in JT Daniels and more questions being answered. Also USC is loaded with talent from the 2018 recruiting class.

This should be an exciting way to open the 2020 season, and it’s only a couple years away.

College Football
Texas Tech’s next move at QB could define its season after Brendan Sorsby fiascoTexas Tech’s next move at QB could define its season after Brendan Sorsby fiasco
College Football
6 college football teams that could surprise everyone in 20266 college football teams that could surprise everyone in 2026
College Football

These teams are taking a leap this season.

By Mark Schofield
College Football
What can Indiana and Curt Cignetti do for an encore?What can Indiana and Curt Cignetti do for an encore?
College Football

Indiana football expects to be the same machine even with a new QB

By Mark Schofield
College Football
College football’s 20 best transfers of the 2026 seasonCollege football’s 20 best transfers of the 2026 season
College Football

20 transfers that will define the 2020 college football season.

By Mark Schofield
College Football
North Dakota State’s college football dynasty finally reaches the big leaguesNorth Dakota State’s college football dynasty finally reaches the big leagues
College Football

North Dakota State dominated FCS college football. Can it work in the Mountain West?

By Mark Schofield
College Football
Heisman Trophy rankings: Predicting college football’s top contenders for 2026Heisman Trophy rankings: Predicting college football’s top contenders for 2026
College Football

College football’s long list of Heisman Trophy candidates entering 2026 season

By Mark Schofield