Western Kentucky will make another trip to Bryant-Denny Stadium and collect a massive check in the process.

Alabama will host the Hilltoppers in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Sept, 9, 2023, WKU athletic director Todd Stewart confirmed Wednesday to the Daily News. Fbschedules.com first reported the news.

The Crimson Tide will pay the Toppers $1.9 million to play the game. That matches the $1.9 million Auburn is set to pay WKU to host the Hilltoppers on Sept. 24, 2022.

News of the nearly $2 million from Alabama comes as WKU faces budget challenges across the university, including in the athletic department.

“With our budget situation, that’s an enormous payday that will impact a lot of people and a lot of programs across the board,” Stewart said Wednesday after a WKU coaches event at Indian Hills Country Club.

The 2023 matchup will mark the fourth time the Tops have traveled to Tuscaloosa since beginning the transition to FBS in 2007. WKU is 0-3 in those games.

The Hilltoppers lost 41-7 in 2008 under David Elson, 35-0 under Willie Taggart in 2012 and 38-10 under Jeff Brohm in 2016.

The Tide was ranked No. 11 in the 2008 contest and No. 1 in each of the last two.

Alabama’s won five national championships since 2009 under coach Nick Saban, including the most recent title.

Tuscaloosa is roughly a five-hour drive from Bowling Green.

“It’s a trip that our fans can make,” Stewart said. “Certainly you’re playing the No. 1 program in the country. And you always want to measure yourself against the best. Certainly the payday is excellent too.”

WKU has three wins in its history against teams from the Southeastern Conference. The most recent was a 14-12 victory at Vanderbilt in 2015 under Brohm.

Future WKU nonconference opponents

2018 – at Wisconsin (Aug. 31), Maine (Sept. 8), at Louisville (Sept. 15), at Ball State (Sept. 22)

2019 – Central Arkansas (Aug. 31), Louisville (Nashville, Sept. 14), Army (Oct. 12), at Arkansas (Nov. 9)

2020 – Chattanooga (Sept. 5), at Indiana (Sept. 12), at Louisville (Sept. 26)

2021 – at Army (Sept. 11), Indiana (Sept. 25)

2022 – at Hawaii (Sept. 3), Austin Peay (Sept. 10), at Indiana (Sept. 17), at Auburn (Sept. 24)

2023 – South Florida (Sept. 2), at Alabama (Sept. 9)

2024 – at South Florida (Aug. 31)