If you woke up today looking for the time of Alabama game this saturday, you might want to put the grill away and maybe grab a basketball instead. It’s January 17, 2026. The reality for the Crimson Tide football faithful is a bit quiet right now. Following a tough 38-3 loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl on New Year's Day, the football season has officially wrapped up.
Alabama finished the 2025-2026 campaign with an 11-4 record. While Kalen DeBoer's squad made a deep run, winning a playoff thriller against Oklahoma in the first round, the journey ended in Pasadena.
But "Roll Tide" doesn't stop just because the pads are in storage.
Alabama Basketball vs. Oklahoma: Kickoff... er, Tip-off Times
Since there is no football game, the primary "Alabama game" everyone is tracking this Saturday is on the hardwood. Nate Oats and the No. 18 ranked Crimson Tide are heading to Norman to face off against the Oklahoma Sooners.
Here is the breakdown of when and where to watch:
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- Date: Saturday, January 17, 2026
- Tip-off Time: 12:00 PM CT (1:00 PM ET)
- Location: Lloyd Noble Center, Norman, OK
- TV Channel: SEC Network
Honestly, this is a massive bounce-back opportunity. Alabama just dropped a heartbreaker to Texas (92-88) and had a gritty Tuesday night battle against Mississippi State. Heading into Norman isn't easy, especially with the Sooners looking for blood in their own arena. If you're looking for the time of Alabama game this saturday, noon is your magic number.
Why fans are confused about the football schedule
It’s easy to get turned around with the new 12-team College Football Playoff format. In years past, mid-January was strictly for the National Championship. Now? The schedule stretches. However, since Alabama was eliminated in the Quarterfinals by Indiana, they aren't part of the final dance this year.
The National Championship is actually set for Monday, January 19, 2026, in Miami. It'll be Indiana taking on Miami. It's a weird feeling for Bama fans not to be in that Monday night slot, but that’s the current landscape of the CFP.
A quick look at the 2026 Football Return
If you’re already counting down the days until the pigskin returns to Bryant-Denny Stadium, the 2026 schedule is already locked in. We've got a long wait. The season doesn't kick off until September 5, 2026, when East Carolina comes to town.
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The 2026 home slate is actually pretty legendary:
- Florida State (Sept 19)
- Georgia (Oct 10)
- Texas A&M (Oct 24)
- Auburn (Nov 28)
It’s going to be a gauntlet. But for right now, the focus is entirely on the SEC basketball grind.
How to watch the Tide this Saturday
If you're planning your Saturday around the game, make sure your SEC Network subscription is active. You can stream it through the ESPN app if you've got your cable login handy.
The Lloyd Noble Center is known for being loud, and Oklahoma has been a thorn in Alabama's side recently—not just in basketball, but they played a classic in the football playoffs just a few weeks ago. The "Blue-Collar Basketball" style Nate Oats preaches will be tested.
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Key Storylines for Jan 17
Keep an eye on the guard play. After the Texas loss, Bama needs to tighten up the perimeter defense. It's been a bit "hit or miss" lately. Honestly, the Tide lives and dies by the three-pointer. If they're hitting, they can beat anyone in the country. If it's a cold night in Norman, it could be a long afternoon for the traveling fans.
Your Saturday Game Day Checklist
To make sure you don't miss a beat for the time of Alabama game this saturday, here is the plan:
- 11:30 AM CT: Tune into SEC Network for the pre-game analysis.
- 12:00 PM CT: Tip-off. Expect a fast-paced game; Alabama rarely slows down.
- Post-Game: Check RollTide.com for the box score and coach DeBoer’s (football) recruiting updates, which usually heat up this time of year.
Since there's no football game to attend, it's the perfect time to catch up on the winter sports circuit. Gymnastics and Softball are right around the corner too.
To stay ahead of the curve, sync your digital calendar with the official Alabama Athletics schedule. This ensures you get automatic alerts for tip-off times and channel changes, especially as the SEC tournament approaches in March. For those local to Tuscaloosa, Saturday is also a great day to visit the Bryant Museum while the campus is relatively quiet before the spring semester rush.