Alabama Names Tennessee as Homecoming Opponent 2021
The Alabama Crimson Tide is set to defend its 2020 national championship. The Tide will welcome back a full compliment of fans into Bryant-Denny Stadium after limiting fans in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Alabama athletic program announced a schedule of events and celebrations that will occur during each home football game in 2021.
Alabama opens Fall Camp on Friday, Aug. 6 and will hold 23 practices with a pair of closed scrimmages. There will be no Fan Day this year due to the threat of the potential spread of COVID-19.
The Crimson Tide opens its home schedule by playing Mercer on Sept. 11 and the university will honor the 1981 SEC Championship team. The '81 team was Paul "Bear" Bryant's last SEC Championship winning team. The Bryant Alumni-Athlete Award will also be recognized during the game.
On Sept. 25 against Southern Miss the athletic department will honor the academic All-Americans for their hard work in the classroom.
In the Tide's SEC home opener on Oct. 2 against Ole Miss, Alabama will honor the 1961 National Championship winning football team as well as presenting SEC Championship rings to the 2020 Alabama gymnastics team.
Homecoming for the Crimson Tide will be Oct. 23 against Tennessee. The parade will be held that weekend as well as honoring the Homecoming Queen and Court at halftime. The athletic department will also honor the 1971 SEC Championship football team and present SEC Championship rings to the 2020 Alabama softball team.
Alabama brings in the rival LSU Tigers on Nov. 6 and will honor the 2011 National Championship winning football team. The 2011 team defeated LSU 21-0 in the BCS National Championship game. Additionally the university will present SEC Championship rings to the 2020-21 Alabama basketball program and honor 2020-21 track and field individual national champions.
The Tide brings in New Mexico State on Nov. 13 to serve as the final tune-up of the season. During the game the athletic department will recognize Alabama athletes that competed during the 2021 Olympics.
Alabama concludes its season on Nov. 20 against the Arkansas Razorbacks and will conduct the traditional Senior Day festivities for departing football players. Additionally the Tide will honor those in the Bryant Society.