Alabama and Ohio State had a much-anticipated home-and-home series on the docket since 2020. Fast forward six years, and it seems the Crimson Tide is quietly stepping back from this marquee matchup. Instead of making a big announcement, Alabama subtly shifted its schedule, leaving room for fans and analysts to piece together the puzzle.
On February 23, Alabama revealed that Georgia State would kick off its 2028 season at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Here's the catch: with a nine-game SEC schedule, Alabama's non-conference slots for 2028 were already filled with Ohio State, Oklahoma State, and UT Martin. Adding Georgia State means something's got to give, and all signs point to Ohio State being the odd team out.
Paul Finebaum, always with a finger on the pulse, anticipated this move. Speaking on 97.1 The Fan, he noted, “I sincerely doubt the Alabama game is going to happen based on what I’ve heard from Alabama’s AD.” The crux of the issue is the ninth SEC game, which complicates scheduling for many programs.
The financial implications are significant. A breach of the Ohio State contract would cost $3 million unless conference scheduling changes make the game “impossible or impractical,” triggering a rescheduling clause.
The UT Martin game is likely safe, while the Oklahoma State series involves a trip to Stillwater, making it logistically tougher to cancel. That leaves Ohio State as the most likely game to be dropped.
The numbers are daunting but not insurmountable. The Ohio State penalty stands at $3 million, while Oklahoma State's cancellation fee is $1 million per game, increasing to $2 million if canceled within two years of the game date.
UT Martin’s fee is $500,000. Alabama would need the conference-scheduling clause to avoid these penalties; otherwise, they’ll be cutting a hefty check to Columbus.
The 2028 schedule is now set: Georgia State is in, and Ohio State is out. Finebaum called it, and Alabama confirmed it without uttering a word.