As it pertains to at least one analyst, CBS Sports doesn't think very highly of the Alabama Crimson Tide entering Week 1 of the 2026 college football season.
With less than a week remaining until the Crimson Tide's season opener against East Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium, CBS recently named Alabama one of two overrated teams in the SEC
as 2026 begins. Texas A&M was the other team the outlet deemed overrated.What makes Alabama vulnerable, college football analyst Chris Hummer believes, are the same issues and concerns that plagued the Tide last season: namely poor offensive line play, which led to an inability to protect the quarterback in key moments and a run game that ranked second from last in the SEC in yards per game.
Hummer said of Alabama
entering Year 3 under coach Kalen DeBoer:
"Compared to some of the other favorites in the SEC, the Tide simply have more questions. Most people point to the inexperienced Keelon Russell as Alabama's weak point. But my concerns focus more on the Tide's offensive line and run game. Alabama is one season removed from ranking 126th of 136 teams nationally in yards per carry. That was with a first-round pick at offensive tackle.
"Now, Alabama is replacing four offensive line starters and failed to add a high-level transfer at running back. Could some of the Tide's young players emerge as difference makers and plug those holes around Russell? Absolutely. But until I see that element of the Tide's offense improve, I have major questions about the offense and the roster as a whole." -- Chris Hummer, CBS Sports.
Alabama's biggest threat to missing CFP? This trap game, outlet warns
— Roll Tide Wire (@RollTideWire) August 29, 2026
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Former five-star recruit Michael Carroll is the only returning starter on Alabama's offensive line. The Tide have a new O-line coach in veteran college and NFL assistant Adrian Klemm, who spent last season at Southern California and previously had stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots.
Four-star class of 2025 recruit Jackson Lloyd was named the starter at left tackle, and Cal Poly transfer Racin Delgatty will be the Tide's starting center.
Mal Waldrop and William Sanders, ranked as three-star recruits by 247Sports, are battling for left guard. Mississippi State transfer Jayvin James and Texas Longhorns transfer Nick Brooks are battling at right tackle.
Alabama is ranked No. 11 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll and No. 13 in the preseason AP Top 25 poll.
Kickoff for Alabama-East Carolina is 11 a.m. CT Saturday. The game will be televised on ABC.
Who has the edge? Latest odds for Alabama vs. East Carolina in Week 1
— Roll Tide Wire (@RollTideWire) August 30, 2026
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Alabama football schedule 2026
- Sept. 5: vs. East Carolina, 11 a.m., ABC
- Sept. 12: at Kentucky, 2:30 p.m., ABC
- Sept. 19: vs. Florida State, 2:30 p.m., ABC
- Sept. 26: vs. South Carolina, prime time
- Oct. 3: at Mississippi State, early window
- Oct. 10: vs. Georgia, prime time
- Oct. 17: at Tennessee, TBA
- Oct. 24: vs. Texas A&M, TBA
- Nov. 7: at LSU, TBA
- Nov. 14: at Vanderbilt, TBA
- Nov. 21: vs. Chattanooga, 1 p.m., SEC Network+
- Nov. 28: vs. Auburn, TBA
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Where Alabama football landed on CBS Sports' list of overrated, underrated SEC teams
