With the 2026 SEC football schedule inching closer and closer until kickoff, the Alabama Crimson Tide find themselves a bit further back in preseason polls and rankings than in years past.
A lot of that is due to roster turnover. Ten starters from last year's 11-win team, including quarterback Ty Simpson, leading receiver Germie Bernard, top offensive lineman Kadyn Proctor and defensive lineman LT Overton were selected in the NFL Draft.
The Crimson Tide lost another of their top receivers in Isaiah Horton to Texas A&M in the transfer portal. Defensive tackle James Smith (12 starts) and Qua Russaw (three starts) transferred to Ohio State. Russaw suffered a broken foot in the Tide's 24-21 win over Georgia on Sept. 27.
The battle to replace Simpson,
who threw for 3,567 yards and 28 touchdowns to five interceptions in his lone season at quarterback, is another big factor. Five-star freshman Keelon Russell from the 2025 recruiting class appears to have the edge over former four-star Austin Mack, but coach Kalen DeBoer has stayed mum on who leads the race.
Alabama also has a new-look offensive line with only one starter returning in second-year guard Michael Carroll, a former five-star recruit. That may not be a bad thing given how poorly the Tide ran the ball in 2025, averaging only 3.3 yards per carry and ranking next to last in the SEC in rushing yards per game (104.1).
The Crimson Tide are ranked No. 11 in the preseason US LBM Coaches Poll, placing sixth overall among SEC teams.
Athlon Sports, which recently unveiled its preseason SEC football power rankings, includes Alabama in a similar spot. The Tide rank No. 7, one spot below Ole Miss and one spot ahead of Tennessee.
Athlon senior editor Steven Lassan said of the Crimson Tide:
"The quarterback battle between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack is set to resume. However, the bigger concern for coach Kalen DeBoer is the progression of the offensive line and a rushing attack that averaged only 2.9 yards per carry in SEC play last season."
Alabama opens the 2026 season against East Carolina on Sept. 5 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Kickoff is 11 a.m. CT. The game will be televised on ABC.
Where Alabama football ranks in preseason FWAA-NFF poll entering 2026
— Roll Tide Wire (@RollTideWire) August 9, 2026
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Alabama football schedule 2026
All start times Central.
- 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: SEC preseason power rankings: Where Athlon Sports ranks Alabama
