Where Alabama ranks in way-too-early rankings for 2026 season

The 2025 college football season has wrapped up with the Indiana Hoosiers completing a perfect 16-0 season Monday night with the program’s first ever national championship.

And within hours of the clock hitting triple zero, eyes were already turned toward the 2026 season.

While there may not be championship-level hype for Alabama, the Crimson Tide still appeared in several way-too-early rankings from some of the top college football outlets across the country.

Here’s where they ranked + what some of the national media has to say about Kalen DeBoer’s third year in Tuscaloosa.

ESPN

• Where Alabama ranks: No. 21
• What they said: “Kalen DeBoer is undoubtedly on the hot seat entering his third season in Tuscaloosa. His teams went 20-8 in the first two seasons, which isn’t good enough at Alabama. The Crimson Tide ranked 125th in rushing (104.1 yards) and must figure out a way to run the ball. That starts up front, where Alabama has had mediocre play on the offensive line. Keelon Russell and Austin Mack will battle for the quarterback job with Simpson leaving for the NFL draft.”
• No. 1 team: Indiana
• Full rankings

Sports Illustrated

• Where Alabama ranks: No. 15
• What they said: “There are no excuses left for Kalen DeBoer as he’s assembled one of the most talented rosters in the SEC and is coming off CFP and SEC title game trips last season. Talented redshirt freshman Keelon Russell is expected to take over at quarterback, but the key question might be if the offense can more effectively run the ball after one of the worst seasons on the ground in school history.”
• No. 1 team: Ohio State
• Full rankings

The Athletic

• Where Alabama ranks: No. 20
• What they said: “Alabama will have a new quarterback, Austin Mack or Keelon Russell, and a lot of questions on offense. Receiver remains a strength, but Kalen DeBoer will have a young O-line and needs new running backs to emerge after Jam Miller turned pro. The Tide return more proven players on defense, bringing back their entire starting secondary and top pass rusher Pierre, but they got wiped out on the D-line. Bama’s No. 2 recruiting class could help.”
• No. 1 team: Oregon
• Full rankings

On3

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• Where Alabama ranks: No. 17
• What they said: “Alabama’s standard is insane. Even though the Crimson Tide made the College Football Playoff and advanced, you’d think last year was a disaster. Quarterback Ty Simpson is off to the NFL and there is going to be a quarterback battle between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack. Though you’d normally see the Crimson Tide much higher on this list, you know they are going to have as much talent as anyone in the country.”
• No. 1 team: Ohio State
• Full rankings

CBS Sports

• Where Alabama ranks: No. 15
• What they said: “Ty Simpson is headed to the NFL Draft, but Alabama coaches have been high on Keelon Russell, the former No. 2 recruit in his class, for several months. I’m not sold on a portal class that ranks No. 17, especially after the Tide missed out on running back Hollywood Smothers and receiver Cam Coleman. The coaching staff is still elite, despite what others think, but the pressure is on Kalen DeBoer to make noise in the CFP.”
• No. 1 team: Ohio State
• Full rankings

Yahoo! Sports

• Where Alabama ranks: No. 12
• What they said: “With Ty Simpson off to the NFL, it’s up to Austin Mack or Keelon Russell to start at QB for the Crimson Tide. Mack has more familiarity with Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb’s offensive system. Russell is a former five-star recruit. The Tide also bring in No. 1 running back recruit Ezavier Crowell. Can he make Alabama’s run game work again?”
• No. 1 team: Oregon
• Full rankings

USA Today

• Where Alabama ranks: No. 11
• What they said: “The pressure is on Kalen DeBoer after a pair of four-loss seasons to start his tenure. The Rose Bowl loss to Indiana exposed issues on both sides of the ball that need addressing. The most-pressing is offensive line,  which was partly addressed by Michigan transfers Ty Haywood and Kaden Strayhorn. The quarterback position will again have first-year starter with Austin Mack and Keelon Russell competing for the job. That means a dismal running game must improve. Getting receiver Ryan Williams back to his game-breaking best is another priority.”
• No. 1 team: Texas
• Full rankings

Sporting News

• Where Alabama ranks: No. 12
• What they said: “This will be a telling third year for Kalen DeBoer. Ty Simpson declared for the NFL Draft, meaning the quarterback competition between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell is front and center. The Crimson Tide have 20 players who left via the transfer portal, and running back Daniel Hill and receiver Ryan Williams are key returners – but the offense line will need to be rebuilt again. Safety Brady Hubbard is back on defense. Early-season home games against Florida State (Sept. 19) and Georgia (Oct. 10) will be a good gauge for where the Crimson Tide stand.”
• No. 1 team: Indiana
• Full rankings

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Where would you rank Alabama ahead of the 2026 season? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.