The reigning national champion Crimson Tide will open the season in primetime on national television against USC.

ESPN announced the times and tv schedule for the first weekend of the 2016 college football season, and the high-profile meeting between two of the sport's most decorated programs will be front and center. The Cowboys Classic, held at AT&T Stadium in Dallas is set for a 7 PM/CT kickoff and will be televised by ABC.

This marks the third straight year that Alabama will open on ABC and the second consecutive open in primetime. Last year's game against Wisconsin - also in AT&T Stadium - had the exact same kickoff time. The Crimson Tide is 2-0 since 2009 in season openers at this stadium.

Many media outlets have given Nick Saban's team the top spot in preseason polls, but the Crimson Tide will be dealing with uncertainty at the quarterback position and the arrest of one of the team's top returning players, left tackle Cam Robinson. The outcome of that arrest could impact the game significantly.

The Trojans will enter the season following a Pac-12 South Division title in 2015 and will likely be a top 20 team to being the year. Oddsmakers have already made Alabama a 13.5-point favorite in the early point spread.

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