The Alabama Crimson Tide fell to the Tennessee Volunteers in an ugly 26-10 loss at Neyland Stadium in Week 7 of the 2026 college football season.
Saturday's setback marked the first time Alabama (5-2 overall, 3-2 SEC) had lost back-to-back games in the regular season since 2007. The Crimson Tide's loss in Knoxville, their third straight on Rocky Top since 2022, was the ugliest in that stretch. Tennessee (6-1, 3-1) simply dominated the game from the opening whistle to the last.
Two early turnovers put Alabama in a hole before a raucous environment at Neyland, and the Tide would never lead in the game. Alabama never had any real momentum going on offense. Not counting their last possession with the game already decided, the Crimson Tide had only
12 full drives.
Keelon Russell had a 19-yard scramble on a short field after a Tennessee turnover for Alabama's only touchdown of the game. Aside from Russell's touchdown, the most productive series for the Crimson Tide went 10 plays for 35 yards and ended with a stuff on a fourth-and-1 run by Daniel Hill. The Tide went three-and-out eight times and were 1-for-3 on fourth down attempts.
Tennessee, like Georgia a week earlier, kept Alabama off the scoreboard entirely in the second half. The Vols' defense held Ryan Grubb's offense to a paltry 201 total yards. Workhorse running back DeSean Bishop had two touchdown runs and 159 yards on the ground. MacIntyre connected on 21 of 31 passes for 197 yards.
Russell finished 19 of 29 with a season-low 147 yards and two interceptions. After scoring at least 45 points in their first five games, Alabama has scored just 27 points in their last two. The offense will have to regain some of its early season rhythm to salvage a season that now puts the Crimson Tide in danger of missing the College Football Playoff with another loss in any of its last four SEC games.
The Crimson Tide face the Texas A&M Aggies (4-3, 1-3) at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Week 8.
In the meantime, here's where Alabama is ranked in Sunday's new US LBM Coaches Poll.
Social media reacts to Alabama's disappointing road loss vs. Tennessee
— Roll Tide Wire (@RollTideWire) October 18, 2026
📸 Randy Sartin, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/6Ylbzwi5f5 pic.twitter.com/IkZ4ytuljz
New No. 1 in Coaches Poll after chaotic Week 7 upsets: How far did Alabama drop?
Alabama is ranked No. 13 in the Week 8 US LBM Coaches Poll, down six spots from last week. The Crimson Tide are ranked one spot below the Kentucky Wildcats, and are one spot ahead of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Alabama's six-spot plunge tied Notre Dame, which fell to BYU, 28-24, on a controversial final play. Texas had the biggest drop, falling 12 spots to No. 18 after the Longhorns' 27-24 loss to the Florida Gators.
New Coaches Poll top 25 rankings after Week 7 college football carnage
Alabama was far from the only top-10 team that fell in Week 7. For the second straight week, there's a new No. 1 atop the polls after previously top-ranked Georgia, No. 2 Notre Dame, No. 4 Indiana and No. 6 Texas all lost in upsets Saturday.
Here's a look at the full top 25 rankings in the US LBM Coaches Poll heading into Week 8.
Schools Dropped Out
No. 19 Mississippi State; No. 20 Oklahoma State;
Others Receiving Votes
Arizona 141; Oklahoma State 87; James Madison 80; Auburn 55; Mississippi State 32; Nebraska 19; Oregon State 17; New Mexico 16; UTSA 13; Michigan 10; North Dakota State 8; Wisconsin 7; Duke 7; North Carolina 5; Pittsburgh 4; Air Force 3; North Texas 1;
What Kalen DeBoer said following Alabama's road loss vs. Tennessee
— Roll Tide Wire (@RollTideWire) October 18, 2026
📸 Randy Sartin, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/h5RIsN91uj pic.twitter.com/k0qquQVOQp
Alabama football schedule 2026
All times Central.
- Sept. 5: vs. East Carolina Pirates (W, 48-10)
- Sept. 12: at Kentucky Wildcats (W, 45-17)
- Sept. 19: vs. Florida State Seminoles (W, 50-36)
- Sept. 26: vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (W, 49-18)
- Oct. 3: at Mississippi State Bulldogs (W, 56-23)
- Oct. 10: vs. Georgia Bulldogs (L, 20-17)
- Oct. 17: at Tennessee Volunteers (L, 26-10)
- Oct. 24: vs. Texas A&M Aggies, 2:30 p.m., ABC
- Nov. 7: at LSU Tigers, TBA
- Nov. 14: at Vanderbilt Commodores, TBA
- Nov. 21: vs. Chattanooga Mocs, 1 p.m., SEC Network+
- Nov. 28: vs. Auburn Tigers, TBA
Record: 5-2 overall, 3-2.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: How far did Alabama football fall in US LBM Coaches Poll after ugly Tennessee loss?
