Preseason Landscape
Alabama entered the 2026 Associated Press preseason poll at No. 13, marking the first time the program has been ranked outside the top ten since the 2008 season. The Crimson Tide received no first‑place votes in the poll and are one of nine SEC teams represented, alongside traditional powers such as Georgia and Texas.
The team finished the previous season with an 11‑4 record, falling to eventual national champion Indiana in the Rose Bowl quarterfinal, and sits at No. 11 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, underscoring a strong but not top‑tier preseason perception.
Season Opener Details
Alabama’s first game of the 2026 campaign is scheduled for September 5, when they travel to face East Carolina. Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. on ABC, giving the team an early‑day platform to open the season and rally fan support.
The ranking reflects a program in transition, as the coaching staff and players aim to climb back into the top tier. With a challenging schedule ahead, the Crimson Tide hope to translate early momentum into a conference‑dominant performance that could restore their status among the nation’s elite.