Alabama enters the 2026 college football season in an interesting spot under third-year coach Kalen DeBoer. The Crimson Tide played for the SEC title and picked up a playoff win, but the season ended on a down note with a blowout loss to Indiana in the Rose Bowl. Although DeBoer is 20-8 since replacing Nick Saban, this season is critical to show the program is on stable ground and can reload. Alabama has major question marks to address along both lines of scrimmage, and DeBoer and coordinator Ryan Grubb must find a way to spark a lackluster rushing attack.
Austin Mack and Keelon Russell will continue their quarterback battle in fall practice, but DeBoer and Grubb seem to have two capable options to direct their offense next year. Also, the defense boasts one of the top secondary units in the nation.
Will Alabama return to the playoff? Or will the Crimson Tide take a step back in DeBoer’s third season? Athlon Sports ranks the five toughest games for DeBoer’s squad this fall:
Alabama Football: Ranking the 5 Toughest Games for the Crimson Tide in 2026
Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News
5. Auburn (Nov. 28)
The Iron Bowl. Last year’s game came down to the wire and this rivalry has new energy with Alex Golesh taking over at Auburn.
4. Texas A&M (Oct. 24)
This matchup could be critical for positioning within the SEC or for a spot in the playoff. Expect a good battle between Texas A&M’s defense and Alabama’s offense in this one.
3. at Tennessee (Oct. 17)
The Third Saturday in October rivalry is always a must-see matchup. Alabama has dominated this series in recent years, but the Volunteers have won the last two games in Knoxville.
Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images
2. at LSU (Nov. 7)
This matchup ends a brutal stretch for Alabama with Georgia, at Tennessee and Texas A&M coming in the three previous contests. Alabama has won four out of five over the Bayou Bengals.
1. Georgia (Oct. 10)
After Alabama won the first matchup (24-21 in Athens), Georgia defeated the Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship Game last year. Despite the convincing 28-7 victory by the Bulldogs in Atlanta, Alabama has won 10 of the previous 12 meetings between these two teams.
