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Alabama will open its 2016 football season against Southern California at the Cowboys Classic in Arlington, Texas.

The matchup will be the eighth between the historical powers, with the Crimson Tide leading the series 5-2. Alabama and USC split the 1978 national championship, with the Tide getting tabbed No. 1 by the Associated Press and the Trojans by the United Press International.

USC defeated Alabama 24-14 in Legion Field early in the '78 season but lost later that year to Arizona State. The most previous matchup between the Tide and Trojans took place in the Aloha Bowl after the 1985 season, with Alabama winning 24-3.

Whether or not the 2016 meeting will be dubbed the "Lane Kiffin Bowl" remains to be seen, with the former USC coach now in his first season as Alabama's offensive coordinator.

The Crimson Tide thumped Michigan 41-14 in the 2012 Cowboys Classic and are scheduled to open their 2015 season there against Wisconsin. Alabama has opened its 2008 (Clemson), '09 (Virginia Tech) and '13 seasons (Virginia Tech) at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic in Atlanta, where the Tide will open this season against West Virginia.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.