The XFL will begin its 2020 season with two games on Feb. 8 and two on Feb. 9, and there will be two former Crimson Tide football players who will be making their debut.
Former Alabama cornerback Saivion Smith will be starting for the Houston Roughnecks, and former Alabama cornerback Bradley Sylve will start for the DC Defenders.
The XFL consists of eight official teams, all of which have 52 players.
The rules within the XFL differ from the NFL. Here are 3 examples of rules that will be unique to the XFL.
During kickoff, “The kicker kicks from the 30-yard line and must kick the ball in the air and in play between the opponent’s 20-yard line and the end zone.”
For point after touchdowns (PATs), “the team has the option of running a play from the 2, 5, or 10-yard line, worth 1, 2, or 3 points respectively. The team must run an offensive play and no kicking plays are allowed. If the defense is able to cause a turnover and return the ball to the opponent’s end zone, the resulting score is equal to the number of points the offense was attempting to score on its PAT.”
And for overtime, “Overtime shall consist of 5 “Rounds”, staged in alternating single-play possessions as is customary in NHL shootouts or MLS penalty kicks. A “Round” will consist of one offensive play per team. Each possession starts at the opponent’s 5-yard line and the offensive team has one play to score. The team with more points after 5 rounds is the winner.”
Here is the schedule for opening weekend:
SAT, FEB 8 – 1:00PM CT on ABC
Seattle Dragons vs DC Defenders
SAT, FEB 8 – 4:00PM CT on Fox
LA Wildcats vs. Houston Roughnecks
SUN, FEB 9 – 1:00PM ET on Fox
Tampa Bay Vipers vs. NY Guardians
SUN, FEB 9 – 4:00PM CT on ESPN
STL Battlehawks vs. Dallas Renegades