Getty Will Anderson Jr. and Alabama will begin preparations for another title run.
Falling at the last hurdle in the quest for another national championship should give Alabama all the motivation needed to go one better this season. It starts with Saturday’s annual spring scrimmage.
A-Day will be marked by the return of key stars on both sides of the ball, including quarterback Bryce Young and defensive tackle DJ Dale. There are still problem areas facing head coach Nick Saban, particularly along the offensive line and at running back. The Crimson Tide will lose key players at both positions to the 2022 NFL draft.
The game (3 p.m. ET start time) isn’t on regular TV, but it will stream live on both SEC Network+ (this can be watched on the ESPN app or website if you have a cable package or streaming service that includes SEC Network) and ESPN+.
Here’s a more in-depth rundown of all the ways you can watch the 2022 Alabama spring game:
Note: Heavy may earn an affiliate commission if you sign up via a link on this page
ESPN+
Every game that is on SEC Network+ (which is different from the regular SEC Network TV channel) is also available on ESPN+:
ESPN+ also includes dozens of other live sports, every 30-for-30 documentary and additional original content (both video and written) all for $6.99 per month.
Or, if you also want Disney+ and Hulu, you can get all three for $13.99 per month. Separately, the three streaming services would cost a total $20.97 per month, so you’re saving about 33 percent:
Get the ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu Bundle
Once signed up for ESPN+, you can watch the 2022 Alabama spring game live on the ESPN app on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Firestick, Apple TV, Chromecast, PlayStation 4 or 5, Xbox One or Series X/S, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), Samsung Smart TV, Oculus Go, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet.
You can also watch on your computer via ESPN.com.
FuboTV
You can watch SEC Network+ with a subscription to FuboTV. You’ll need the Sports Plus add-on, but you can include the main channel package and any add-ons with your free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for FuboTV, you can watch the 2022 Alabama spring game live on the ESPN app (not the FuboTV app), which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), various smart TVs, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the ESPN website.
You’ll be asked to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but you can use your Fubo credentials to do that.
DirecTV Stream
DirecTV Stream has four different channel packages: “Entertainment,” “Choice,” “Ultimate” and “Premier.” You’ll need “Choice” or above to watch SEC Network+, but you can pick any package and any add-on you want with your free five-day trial:
Once signed up for DirecTV Stream, you can watch the 2022 Alabama spring game live on the ESPN app (not the DirecTV Stream app), which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), various smart TVs, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the ESPN website.
You’ll be asked to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but you can use your DirecTV Stream credentials (may still be listed as AT&T on the list of cable providers) to do that.
Sling TV
You can watch a live stream of SEC Network+ with a subscription to Sling TV–you’ll need the “Sling Orange + Sports Extra” bundle. This option doesn’t include a free trial, but it’s the cheapest long-term streaming service with SEC Network+, and you can get $10 off your first month:
Once signed up for Sling TV, you can watch the 2022 Alabama spring game live on the ESPN app (not the Sling TV app), which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), various smart TVs, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the ESPN website.
You’ll be asked to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but you can use your Sling credentials to do that.
Vidgo
You can watch SEC Network+ with a subscription to Vidgo. It doesn’t come with a free trial, but it’s a good option if you plan on keeping a streaming service long-term:
Once signed up for Vidgo, you can watch the 2022 Alabama spring game live on the ESPN app (not the Vidgo app), which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), various smart TVs, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the ESPN website.
You’ll be asked to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but you can use your Vidgo credentials to do that.
Hulu With Live TV
You can watch a live stream of SEC Network+ with a subscription to Hulu With Live TV, which now also includes both ESPN+ and Disney+ as part of their bundle:
Once signed up for Hulu With Live TV, you can watch the 2022 Alabama spring game live on the ESPN app (not the Hulu app), which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), various smart TVs, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the ESPN website.
You’ll be asked to sign in to a cable provider to watch this way, but you can use your Hulu credentials to do that.
Alabama Spring Game 2022 Preview
‘Bama have been deep and talented in the backfield during most of Saban’s tenure. For that to continue, Saban will need new options after Camar Wheaton transferred to SMU, per RollTide Wire’s AJ Spurr, via Yahoo! Sports.
Wheaton’s defection compounds a problem facing a depth chart set to be sans 2021’s leading rusher, Brian Robinson Jr. He’s entered the draft, so Saban is left to choose between Jase McClellan, Roydell Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Gibbs is the most intriguing after transferring from Georgia Tech. “There has been buzz around him since he stepped on campus,” per Josh Chatham of SB Nation’s Roll ‘Bama Roll.
He can offer Saban’s offense something different as a pass-catcher out of the backfield, an area where Gibbs excelled a year ago, per PFF Draft:
Whoever’s getting the carries on the ground will need superior blocking up front. Alabama’s offensive line was pushed around by a tough and talented Georgia Bulldogs’ defense in last season’s title tilt.
The group has gotten weaker since Evan Neal entered the draft. He’ll be missed at left tackle, but Neal’s absence can be offset if Miles McVay chooses to play his football in Tuscaloosa.
A four-star tackle, McVay has narrowed his choices to “Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Alabama, USC, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Oklahoma, Michigan State and Oregon,” according to Allen Trieu of 247Sports.com.
There is one new tackle in the mix, Tyler Steen. He’s fresh in from Vanderbilt and his performances during the Spring could see the former Commodores’ starter nail down a permanent role with the Tide.
A strong defense is usually something you can take for granted with Saban’s teams. The tradition should continue with top pass-rusher Will Anderson Jr. returning for another year on campus.
Anderson led the nation with 17.5 sacks in 2021. He’ll continue to be rushed from everwhere along a line underpinned by Dale’s hulking frame in Saban and defensive coordinator Pete Golding’s multiple scheme.
There’ll be ample opportunities for Anderson to put Neal’s potential replacements through their paces on Saturday. That’s the way Saban likes to work things, and Clint Lamb of Bama On3 says the coach intends to keep this year’s format the same:
Saban is sure to make the most of his first look at a group still talented enough to get that elusive final win this time around.