The Utah State Aggies will play at the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2022, the school announced on Wednesday.
Utah State will take on Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 3, 2022. The Aggies will receive a guarantee of $1,910,000 for playing the game, per the release.
Utah State has played at Alabama twice in their history. The Aggies fell to the Crimson Tide both times, losing 48-17 in 2004 and 35-3 in 2005.
“We look forward to the opportunity for our student-athletes to compete against Alabama, as well as the opportunity for our fans to enjoy one of the best game day experiences in all of college football,” said Utah State University Vice President and Director of Athletics John Hartwell.
The matchup between Utah State and Alabama is the first announced non-conference opponent for both teams for that season.
Utah State is set to open the 2018 season on Thursday, Aug. 31 at Michigan State. Alabama opens their 2018 slate against Louisville at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, Sept. 1.
Football Schedules
1.9 Million payday game! Is that a record? What is the highest payday for a single game as a visiting school?
$1.9 million
2020 – UMass at Auburn
2021 – Kent State at Texas A&M
2022 – Kent State at Georgia
$1.91 million
2022 – Utah State at Alabama
$2 million
2018 – Colorado State at Florida (part of the money is for McElwain’s buyout)
If not the the number one, has to be the closet.
Does this mean Alabama will be playing a home and home with a power 5 team this season instead of a neutral site game? They usually do neutral site games Labor Day Weekend.
While we’re discussing the highest payouts, here’s another possible contender: Vanderbilt @ Notre Dame 2018. Both schools are private, so they don’t have to disclose the full amount, but it seems like it would be astronomical given ND’s deep pockets and the amount of ESPN money Vandy loses for giving up a home game.
My guess is YES, just not announced.