The Alabama Crimson Tide didn't have the most impressive or lopsided win of the Week 8 college football schedule, but Kalen DeBoer's team is on the move in more than this week's top-25 polls.
Alabama also saw a nice bump in ESPN's new college football power rankings, moving up four spots to No. 10. The Crimson Tide rank one spot below the Utah Utes (7-0) and one spot above Wake Forest (6-1). Alabama is two spots ahead of LSU (6-2). The Miami Hurricanes (7-0) top ESPN's rankings, followed by Ohio State (6-1).
Alabama's 31-20 win over Texas A&M came after the Tide trailed 20-17 entering the fourth quarter. Keelon Russell threw two touchdown passes in the final 15 minutes, and the Crimson Tide defense forced three straight three-and-outs on Aggie
drives after a Marcel Reed fumble.
Russell was 19 of 30 for 311 yards with three touchdowns and an interception, and Rico Scott had a career day with six catches for 156 yards. Russell was 9 of 11 for 150 yards in the second half as the Crimson Tide avoided what would have been a disastrous third straight loss entering their Week 9 bye.
Alabama returns to the field on Nov. 7 at LSU in a potential College Football Playoff elimination game. Kickoff for Alabama-LSU is 2:30 p.m. CT. The game will be televised on ABC.
The Crimson Tide are No. 10 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and the AP Top 25. LSU is No. 13 in the Coaches Poll and No. 15 in the AP poll.
What ESPN is saying about Alabama football after gritty Texas A&M win
ESPN's Alex Scarborough said of the Crimson Tide's four-spot rise in ESPN's weekly power rankings:
"It wasn't a pretty win over Texas A&M. Alabama's running game, which had looked much improved over the first month of the season, continued its slide with only 68 yards on 28 carries. But for a team dealing with four starters and a few key reserves out due to injuries, avoiding a third straight loss and getting to the bye week 6-2 was all that mattered for the Crimson Tide.
"Coach Kalen DeBoer said he hoped that 'a lot' of injured players would make it back for a trip to LSU on Nov. 7. It would help if that list includes star wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams and center Racin Delgatty, as their absence has been noticeable. Beyond simple recovery, the Tide need to get back on track when it comes to creating balance on offense and tightening up the secondary."
How every Alabama offseason transfer has performed so far this season
— Roll Tide Wire (@RollTideWire) October 27, 2026
📸 Maria Lysaker, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect https://t.co/5toG84tvWv pic.twitter.com/9qYF0ba2Wv
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 (W, 31-20)
- Nov. 7: at LSU Tigers, 2:30 p.m., ABC
- Nov. 14: at Vanderbilt Commodores, TBA
- Nov. 21: vs. Chattanooga Mocs, 1 p.m., SEC Network+
- Nov. 28: vs. Auburn Tigers, TBA
Record: 6-2 overall, 4-2 SEC.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football has big rise in ESPN's Week 9 CFB power rankings
