Alabama wide receiver Marquis Maze (4) tries to outrun Florida kicker Caleb Sturgis (19) on a kick return in the first quarter Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. (Press-Register, G.M. Andrews)

We're still a week away from the start of the 2013 season but all eyes were briefly on the more distant future this week as the SEC released the 2014 football schedule, which includes a high profile matchup to open the league slate for Alabama in September: a home game against the Florida Gators.

Does the Crimson Tide's 2014 schedule setup well for another championship run? What challenges will Alabama's new starting quarterback face early in his career as a starter?

This week on the

, AL.com Tuscaloosa Bureau reporter

joins me to discuss the latest headlines surrounding the Tide, including their 2014 schedule, the suspension of cornerback Geno Smith and more. Listen to Ben and me discuss this and more on this week's show by clicking on the play button below.

Alabama Football Podcast for August 22, 2013.

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