A Season of Remembrance
Alabama’s 2026 football schedule will include a special tribute to two of the program’s most celebrated squads. The university announced that the Crimson Tide will set aside game‑day ceremonies to recognize the 1966 and 2016 teams, both of which left indelible marks on college‑football history.
The 1966 Squad: An Undefeated Run That Still Echoes
The 1966 team, guided by the legendary quarterback Ken Stabler, finished the regular season unbeaten at 11‑0. Although the AP poll placed them third nationally, the squad’s dominance was later validated by Jeff Sagarin’s rating system, which awarded them a de facto national championship — a title Alabama has chosen not to claim officially.
The 2016 Team: Near‑Perfect Run and a Playoff Heartbreak
A decade later, the 2016 team compiled a perfect 12‑0 regular‑season record and captured the SEC Championship Game. Their journey ended in the College Football Playoff title game, where they fell to Clemson, but the team’s standout linebacker Reuben Foster was named MVP of the SEC Championship, underscoring his pivotal role in that historic run.
The tributes will culminate on Senior Day, November 21, 2026, when Alabama hosts Chattanooga, giving fans a final chance to celebrate the legacies before the next chapter begins.