The SEC recently finalized kickoff times and TV designations for its Week 9 slate, including the Alabama Crimson Tide‘s matchup with the Missouri Tigers at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Alabama vs. Missouri is set for a 2:30 p.m. kickoff on ABC.
That means that one of ESPN’s top three broadcast crews will be in Tuscaloosa for Saturday’s game. In this case, it’s the team of Joe Tessitore (play-by-play) and Jordan Rodgers (analyst), the network announced as part of its weekly commentator pairing assignments on Monday. Katie George will work as sideline reporter.
RELATED: A look at the expansive coaching tree under the legendary Nick Saban
Tessitore, who normally teams with Jesse Palmer in the booth, will be making his third trip to Tuscaloosa this season. He called Alabama’s 42-16 victory over South Florida back on Sept. 7, as well as the Crimson Tide’s 27-25 win over South Carolina on Oct. 12.
As part of its new 10-year media rights deal with the SEC, ESPN announced back in August that it’s weekly 2:30 ‘SEC on ABC’ game would be called by either its No. 1 broadcast crew of Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit, the No. 2 crew of Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy, or the No. 3 team of Tessitore and Palmer.
Alabama (5-2) dropped to No. 15 in this week’s US LBM Coaches Poll following its 24-17 loss to the Tennessee Volunteers in Week 8. Missouri (6-1) is ranked No. 17 after narrowly avoiding an upset against Auburn last Saturday in Columbia.
