Is 2026 the Year Alabama Football Regains Control of the SEC?
Two years after Nick Saban retired, the Alabama Crimson Tide haven’t looked as dominant as they did under their legendary coach. Kalen DeBoer, who came from Washington, has kept Alabama’s tough attitude but has struggled in big games. In 2024, the team suffered a late-season loss to unranked Oklahoma and then fell to Michigan in the Reliaquest Bowl. That marked a big change for Alabama, especially since a year earlier, in Saban’s last season, they were close to making the national championship game. Still, after a better season in 2025, there’s hope that Alabama can return to its former glory and reclaim its spot at the top of the SEC and college football.
After a season that didn’t meet expectations, many Roll Tide fans wanted Kalen DeBoer replaced, so changes were needed. The program’s high standards are well known. On the positive side, the team still has plenty of talent, and this year’s schedule looks favorable. Right now, Coach DeBoer says there’s a quarterback competition between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, both strong players who should meet expectations. The team also added offensive linemen through the transfer portal, including Ty Haywood from Michigan and Nick Brooks from Texas. As for depth at the receiver position, Noah Rogers from NC State will be providing some serious help with his pass-catching abilities, as he is the sole wideout transfer joining the program and looking to make DeBoer’s life a little bit easier.
Looking at the 2026 schedule, Alabama will play two of its toughest games at home against Georgia and Texas A&M. The team will be eager to bounce back after last year’s SEC championship loss and give their coach another shot at a big win. They’ll also travel to Baton Rouge to face LSU, one of the most talked-about teams this offseason. Besides these games, Alabama will visit Tennessee and Vanderbilt, but those matchups shouldn’t be too challenging. Two conference losses might not ruin the season, but they could still frustrate fans. If they manage to beat their three toughest opponents, Alabama could return to its glory days.
