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Too Early 2026 Predictions Topic
Posted on 1/20/26 at 11:48 am
Posted on 1/20/26 at 11:48 am
2026 Schedule
09/05: East Carolina
09/12: @Kentucky
09/19: Florida State
09/26: South Carolina
10/03: @Mississippi State
10/10: Georgia
10/17: @Tennessee
10/24: Texas A&M
11/07: @Louisiana State
11/14: @Vanderbilt
11/21: Chattanooga
11/28: Auburn
This season opens with a feisty G6 team that finished 9-4 last season. We're going to know quickly if this staff has the team dialed in. I think we could end up 5-0 heading into Georgia but there are lots of landmines in this opening stretch. South Carolina is one of my dark horse teams for 2026. Nobody in that stretch that can be overlooked even if Alabama is the favorite on paper.
Georgia begins a 4 games in 5 weeks hell run where Alabama will play 4 of the top projected playoff contenders in the conference. I suspect Vanderbilt will be in a rebuild but we should know better than to take them lightly anymore. Auburn at home is usually a comfortable win lately but I suspect they'll be more competitive in Tuscaloosa than some of their recent outfits.
Alabama needs to get through the new squad growing pains while navigating the 5-game opening minefield. Going 2-2 in the hell stretch puts them in position to solidly make the playoff field if they don't get upset by rebuilding Vandy and/or Auburn squads.
I could really only see 4 or more losses on this schedule if Alabama is still a hot mess on offense and the defense takes a step back. 3 losses is probably a fair spot to peg this team. You could certainly make an argument that Alabama splits the hell run along the home/road divide and goes 10-2.
I'm going with the latter assessment. 10-2 with losses @UT and @LSU.
09/05: East Carolina
09/12: @Kentucky
09/19: Florida State
09/26: South Carolina
10/03: @Mississippi State
10/10: Georgia
10/17: @Tennessee
10/24: Texas A&M
11/07: @Louisiana State
11/14: @Vanderbilt
11/21: Chattanooga
11/28: Auburn
This season opens with a feisty G6 team that finished 9-4 last season. We're going to know quickly if this staff has the team dialed in. I think we could end up 5-0 heading into Georgia but there are lots of landmines in this opening stretch. South Carolina is one of my dark horse teams for 2026. Nobody in that stretch that can be overlooked even if Alabama is the favorite on paper.
Georgia begins a 4 games in 5 weeks hell run where Alabama will play 4 of the top projected playoff contenders in the conference. I suspect Vanderbilt will be in a rebuild but we should know better than to take them lightly anymore. Auburn at home is usually a comfortable win lately but I suspect they'll be more competitive in Tuscaloosa than some of their recent outfits.
Alabama needs to get through the new squad growing pains while navigating the 5-game opening minefield. Going 2-2 in the hell stretch puts them in position to solidly make the playoff field if they don't get upset by rebuilding Vandy and/or Auburn squads.
I could really only see 4 or more losses on this schedule if Alabama is still a hot mess on offense and the defense takes a step back. 3 losses is probably a fair spot to peg this team. You could certainly make an argument that Alabama splits the hell run along the home/road divide and goes 10-2.
I'm going with the latter assessment. 10-2 with losses @UT and @LSU.
15
Posted on 1/20/26 at 11:55 am to Diego Ricardo
09/05: East Carolina - win
09/12: @Kentucky - win
09/19: Florida State - win
09/26: South Carolina - win
10/03: @Mississippi State - win
10/10: Georgia - win
10/17: @Tennessee - toss up
10/24: Texas A&M - toss up
11/07: @Louisiana State - loss
11/14: @Vanderbilt - win
11/21: Chattanooga - win
11/28: Auburn - win
09/12: @Kentucky - win
09/19: Florida State - win
09/26: South Carolina - win
10/03: @Mississippi State - win
10/10: Georgia - win
10/17: @Tennessee - toss up
10/24: Texas A&M - toss up
11/07: @Louisiana State - loss
11/14: @Vanderbilt - win
11/21: Chattanooga - win
11/28: Auburn - win
Posted on 1/20/26 at 11:56 am to Diego Ricardo
quote:
I could really only see 4 or more losses on this schedule if Alabama is still a hot mess on offense and the defense takes a step back
Until proven otherwise I'm thinking 4 losses is about right. @ Kentucky is tricky especially with their portal haul and new coach. @Tennessee is probably a loss due to the SEC assigning officials that will screw us over in some form
Posted on 1/20/26 at 11:59 am to Diego Ricardo
On the easier side of SEC schedules for once. We’re going to be counting on super young dudes at a lot of positions next year, especially offensively. I don’t even know how to start predicting, but I guess 9-3 seems kinda logical.
Posted on 1/20/26 at 12:06 pm to Diego Ricardo
Only thing that worries me is that our squad is YOUNG. Not a lot of vets. DeBoer can truly build his culture at Bama but we may see growing pains. I think 10 wins is achievable but this team will be a wild card. Elite defense with questionable offense.
Posted on 1/20/26 at 12:12 pm to Diego Ricardo
That is a tough schedule.
East Carolina is no cup cake. I think Bama wins that one but I don't see Bama blowing them out either.
Kentucky-hard to say. They were pretty bad last year but brought in a lot of guys in the portal, have an intriguing new HC in Will Stein and it's in Lexington. Bama should win but it could get interesting.
FSU-I hope and pray our guys have a shred of pride and feel the need to embarrass those turds.
South Carolina-always a dangerous team. I feel like LaNorris Sellers has been playing for ten years there.
MSU-Still in rebuilding mode. I think in time, if MSU will give him time, Jeff Lebby will have them playing fairly well. Probably not in 2026 though.
Georgia-always a tough, physical game. I think Bama wins that one but expect it to be close and a hard fought game.
Tennessee-I feel like the Vols win that one because Bama will be coming off an emotional, very physical game and will have a bit of a let down. Plus, being in Knoxville, I expect we'll get hosed several times by the refs.
A&M-I'm not sold on them. I felt like this past season, they were wildly over hyped. They really didn't play anyone and when the finally met a good team, they got exposed. I expect the same here. Bama wins this one.
LSU-will be a wild one. Lane will do some crazy shite (as he's prone to do) and it's always a very physical game. I think Bama pulls off the win in a close one.
Vandy-Thank God, Pavia is FINALLY gone. I think Vandy will still be a pretty good game but they won't be the same with Pavia gone. Bama wins this one.
Chattanooga-I expect absolute carnage in that one. Even walk ons will play a good bit.
Auburn-will be interesting. Always a hard and emotional game. I'll be curious to see if Golesh goes heavily with the hurry up offense. I still think Bama wins.
East Carolina is no cup cake. I think Bama wins that one but I don't see Bama blowing them out either.
Kentucky-hard to say. They were pretty bad last year but brought in a lot of guys in the portal, have an intriguing new HC in Will Stein and it's in Lexington. Bama should win but it could get interesting.
FSU-I hope and pray our guys have a shred of pride and feel the need to embarrass those turds.
South Carolina-always a dangerous team. I feel like LaNorris Sellers has been playing for ten years there.
MSU-Still in rebuilding mode. I think in time, if MSU will give him time, Jeff Lebby will have them playing fairly well. Probably not in 2026 though.
Georgia-always a tough, physical game. I think Bama wins that one but expect it to be close and a hard fought game.
Tennessee-I feel like the Vols win that one because Bama will be coming off an emotional, very physical game and will have a bit of a let down. Plus, being in Knoxville, I expect we'll get hosed several times by the refs.
A&M-I'm not sold on them. I felt like this past season, they were wildly over hyped. They really didn't play anyone and when the finally met a good team, they got exposed. I expect the same here. Bama wins this one.
LSU-will be a wild one. Lane will do some crazy shite (as he's prone to do) and it's always a very physical game. I think Bama pulls off the win in a close one.
Vandy-Thank God, Pavia is FINALLY gone. I think Vandy will still be a pretty good game but they won't be the same with Pavia gone. Bama wins this one.
Chattanooga-I expect absolute carnage in that one. Even walk ons will play a good bit.
Auburn-will be interesting. Always a hard and emotional game. I'll be curious to see if Golesh goes heavily with the hurry up offense. I still think Bama wins.
Posted on 1/20/26 at 12:22 pm to Diego Ricardo
quote:Win
09/05: East Carolina Win
09/12: @Kentucky Win
09/19: Florida State Win
09/26: South Carolina Win
10/03: @Mississippi State Win
10/10: Georgia Loss
10/17: @Tennessee Loss
10/24: Texas A&M Loss
11/07: @Louisiana State Loss
11/14: @Vanderbilt Win
11/21: Chattanooga Win
11/28: Auburn
I think the defense is going to struggle.
This post was edited on 1/20/26 at 12:25 pm
Posted on 1/20/26 at 12:40 pm to TS1926
I think we play the Iron Bowl with the cfp on the line.
Posted on 1/20/26 at 1:04 pm to Chad4Bama
quote:
I think we play the Iron Bowl with the cfp on the line.
On offense:
-If Keelon is as good as what little we've seen, he's the starter. If Mack somehow wins the starting job because DeBoer wants an upperclassman who he "brought in from Washington" to run the offense, then we have a repeat of 2024-2205. And no, Ty Simpson was not great running the offense, injury or not.
- The OL improves both pass and run blocking will be huge. If not, look for a repeat of 2025.
- We need help from the freshman and improvement from the current RBs on the roster. Daniel Hill is a situational back and not every down back. If he is, then Bama is in trouble and it will be a repeat of 2025. Bama can't depend on a plodding, stumbling and slow 245 lbs running back to consistently move the chains.
- WR production needs to improve, and some guys need to really, really step up. Ryan WIlliams needs to step up, Rico Scott needs to improve and step up, Brooks needs to continue to improve. and other needs to step up.
On Defense:
-DL appears average and there are zero superstars or elite players. Someone needs to step up big time.
-ILB who are they? Nobody elite.
OLB - who are they? nobody elite. A mixed bag of names who made a few plays during the season. Can someone emerge as a star?
-DBs- the best group on defense.
Overall, I do not like Kane Wommack's defensive philosophy. While the defense made plays and was a good defense, it was not elite.
An elite defense forces three and outs. Kane's defense did not do that. It stayed on the field too often letting the opponent control the clock.
Elite defenses really shine in redzone defense. Bama was certainly not elite when opponents had the ball in the redzone.
Posted on 1/20/26 at 1:15 pm to Diego Ricardo
I think 10-2 personally. CKD has only lost 1 Home game in his tenure at Alabama, and also the schedule is much more manageable than this past year, and they were able to go 10-2 nonetheless.
The offense did not “win” a single game for this team this past year. I would argue the Georgia win (Ryan Williams heroics) in Year 1, is the only game the offense carried the team to a win. Please correct me if I’m forgetting one?
The defense finished #9 in Scoring Defense in the country in Year 1, which was the fewest Bama had alliwed (17.8ppg) sunce 2017.
This past year they finished #2 in the conference in Total Defense in the behind only OU.
This was the first season Bama has allowed under 300ypg since 2017, and that includes all 15 games
(3 postseason games).
If you watch the film, especially the
“All-22” over-head shot, which shows you the entire field, then you will see Bama used a 3-4 Under Front more and more frequently the longer the season progressed.
The defense was much better against the run especially between the Tackles (yes, Domani Jackson was awful at setting the edge and offenses aligned/motioned to a lot of “Nub” sets to force our CB’s to tackle despite being unblocked and they only improved the more D.Lee was out there ).
But with this exception, the rush defense was drastically better compared to Year 1.
In the Portal, the Staff clearly wanted bigger bodies that fit that 3-4 Under better than the cache of 265lbs bodies that were previously on the roster.
I think this is exactly the right direction the defense needs to be on. The pass defense has been as good as any in the country and they also have done a fantastic job forcing turnovers.
I’m very optimistic about the concetted effort to get bigger bodies on field on early downs, and Pierre gives them a 1st round talent rushing the QB.
I think this defense will finish ahead of UGA for the 3rd year in a row, and also finish ahead of OU in yards allowed instead of finishing 2nd in the conference like this past year.
Also, the upgrade at the Punter position cannot be overstated. It seemed like everytime the offense went 3-and-out (which was often) that the opponent started at midfield or better.
Imo, it ALL comes down to the evolution of the offense. I remember reading an article (Sports Illustrated I believe) about how Grubb basically holed up in his office for 2 months upon his arrival in Washington (Huskies) and decided the offense had to be changed and CKD gave him the freedom to do-so, and of course the two following seasons Washington had the best offense in the country (statistically).
That gives me (very) cautious reason/hope to believe that Grubb is capable and willing to adapt, and there is history there where he has done it before.
Also, CKD was a very balanced play-caller as an OC, and even featured the 2nd team All-Big10 RB his final year as an OC at Indiana.
So, I believe there is some reason to (hope) that the staff sees what is evident to everyone, and more importantly, is willing to do something to change/improve it.
If they do, then this team will go 10-2, and possibly be back in Atlanta and certainly in the Playoffs for a 2nd straight season.
The offense did not “win” a single game for this team this past year. I would argue the Georgia win (Ryan Williams heroics) in Year 1, is the only game the offense carried the team to a win. Please correct me if I’m forgetting one?
The defense finished #9 in Scoring Defense in the country in Year 1, which was the fewest Bama had alliwed (17.8ppg) sunce 2017.
This past year they finished #2 in the conference in Total Defense in the behind only OU.
This was the first season Bama has allowed under 300ypg since 2017, and that includes all 15 games
(3 postseason games).
If you watch the film, especially the
“All-22” over-head shot, which shows you the entire field, then you will see Bama used a 3-4 Under Front more and more frequently the longer the season progressed.
The defense was much better against the run especially between the Tackles (yes, Domani Jackson was awful at setting the edge and offenses aligned/motioned to a lot of “Nub” sets to force our CB’s to tackle despite being unblocked and they only improved the more D.Lee was out there ).
But with this exception, the rush defense was drastically better compared to Year 1.
In the Portal, the Staff clearly wanted bigger bodies that fit that 3-4 Under better than the cache of 265lbs bodies that were previously on the roster.
I think this is exactly the right direction the defense needs to be on. The pass defense has been as good as any in the country and they also have done a fantastic job forcing turnovers.
I’m very optimistic about the concetted effort to get bigger bodies on field on early downs, and Pierre gives them a 1st round talent rushing the QB.
I think this defense will finish ahead of UGA for the 3rd year in a row, and also finish ahead of OU in yards allowed instead of finishing 2nd in the conference like this past year.
Also, the upgrade at the Punter position cannot be overstated. It seemed like everytime the offense went 3-and-out (which was often) that the opponent started at midfield or better.
Imo, it ALL comes down to the evolution of the offense. I remember reading an article (Sports Illustrated I believe) about how Grubb basically holed up in his office for 2 months upon his arrival in Washington (Huskies) and decided the offense had to be changed and CKD gave him the freedom to do-so, and of course the two following seasons Washington had the best offense in the country (statistically).
That gives me (very) cautious reason/hope to believe that Grubb is capable and willing to adapt, and there is history there where he has done it before.
Also, CKD was a very balanced play-caller as an OC, and even featured the 2nd team All-Big10 RB his final year as an OC at Indiana.
So, I believe there is some reason to (hope) that the staff sees what is evident to everyone, and more importantly, is willing to do something to change/improve it.
If they do, then this team will go 10-2, and possibly be back in Atlanta and certainly in the Playoffs for a 2nd straight season.
Posted on 1/20/26 at 1:23 pm to Diego Ricardo
15 - 0 season coming.
Posted on 1/20/26 at 1:24 pm to Diego Ricardo
UGA we get home and should be 5-0 going into that game. Hope to have some momentum.
UT it depends on how the game goes against UGA and their program but not expecting a lot from UT.
a&m could be a toss up but a lot will be based on our mindset.
LSU always tough to play on the road but Kiffin could be under pressure if they are not a top 5 team by then.
10-2 splitting those games.
UT it depends on how the game goes against UGA and their program but not expecting a lot from UT.
a&m could be a toss up but a lot will be based on our mindset.
LSU always tough to play on the road but Kiffin could be under pressure if they are not a top 5 team by then.
10-2 splitting those games.
Posted on 1/20/26 at 1:54 pm to Cover1Key
quote:
he defense finished #9 in Scoring Defense in the country in Year 1, which was the fewest Bama had alliwed (17.8ppg) sunce 2017.
This past year they finished #2 in the conference in Total Defense in the behind only OU.
This was the first season Bama has allowed under 300ypg since 2017, and that includes all 15 games
(3 postseason games).
While that's great, how many 3 and outs did this defense cause?
It seemed like most of the better opponents would sustain drives against Bama and control some of the clock. Elite teams would drive the field and score points. I wouldn't call this defense elite by any stretch.
Also, when the defense had its back against the wall, usually from poor play by the offense, they often broke.
See Georgia with first and 10 at the Bama 10 yard line. Bama held them to third ang goal from the 13 but then broke on third down by missing tackles and taking bad angles to the ball carrier. Something they often did during the season.
Posted on 1/20/26 at 1:57 pm to Caesar74
quote:
- win 10/10: Georgia - win 10/17: @Tennessee - toss up
You view UGA as a win and UT as a toss up? Seems backwards
Posted on 1/20/26 at 1:59 pm to Porter Osborne Jr
quote:
ou view UGA as a win and UT as a toss up? Seems backwards
Will Stockton be back?
Posted on 1/20/26 at 2:08 pm to Diego Ricardo
16-0 National Champs!
Posted on 1/20/26 at 2:26 pm to Syd
8 and 4
Posted on 1/20/26 at 2:29 pm to Porter Osborne Jr
I suspect regardless of the score, I expect the Georgia game to be very physical and emotional game. It’s hard to keep a team emotionally ready to play those type of games two weeks in a row.
I suspect there will be a bit an emotional letdown the following week vs Tennessee.
I suspect there will be a bit an emotional letdown the following week vs Tennessee.
Posted on 1/20/26 at 3:40 pm to Porter Osborne Jr
quote:
You view UGA as a win and UT as a toss up? Seems backwards
Georgia game is in Tuscaloosa, UT game is in Knoxville.
Posted on 1/20/26 at 4:23 pm to Diego Ricardo
If they are 5-0 when hosting Georgia, they’ll be a threat to get 10 wins and return to the CFP. Talent to do it. But can the inexperience be overcome? Looking forward to seeing.
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