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JD Pickell picks Bama to not make it to the playoffs in 2026
Posted on 4/17/26 at 7:51 am
Posted on 4/17/26 at 7:51 am
For those that don't know who this guy is, he's a former Division I QB (for some reason, I'm thinking Fresno State?) who has a You Tube channel. He's normally pretty level headed and has some pretty good takes.
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He doesn't think Bama makes it in 2026. He may be right. There are a number of dominos on this team that have to fall into place for a playoff spot to happen.
IMO, while Russell (who I think wins the starting job) will have to learn fast out there, to me, the hands down #1 thing that must happen is improved offensive line play. They don't have to be dominant (although that would be nice) but at least consistently decent. If the O line can do that, that fixes must of the problems on offense.
I think he's wrong about how much better the defense will be. This is year 3. Guys should know what the hell they're doing out there. I was very pleased with the defensive portal guys we got. There is massive depth on the defensive line. They're bigger and more experienced than last year. IMO, this will also help the offense by not putting pressure on them to HAVE to score on every single possession.
I'm not guaranteeing Bama makes it in but I like our odds more than JD does. Of course, if there is a rash of injuries, all bets are off. Still, I'm cautiously optimistic.
LINK
He doesn't think Bama makes it in 2026. He may be right. There are a number of dominos on this team that have to fall into place for a playoff spot to happen.
IMO, while Russell (who I think wins the starting job) will have to learn fast out there, to me, the hands down #1 thing that must happen is improved offensive line play. They don't have to be dominant (although that would be nice) but at least consistently decent. If the O line can do that, that fixes must of the problems on offense.
I think he's wrong about how much better the defense will be. This is year 3. Guys should know what the hell they're doing out there. I was very pleased with the defensive portal guys we got. There is massive depth on the defensive line. They're bigger and more experienced than last year. IMO, this will also help the offense by not putting pressure on them to HAVE to score on every single possession.
I'm not guaranteeing Bama makes it in but I like our odds more than JD does. Of course, if there is a rash of injuries, all bets are off. Still, I'm cautiously optimistic.
This post was edited on 4/17/26 at 7:53 am
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Posted on 4/17/26 at 8:04 am to Amarillo Tide
Yeah I mean objectively it’s not really a hot take. We have a brand new QB, a piss poor run game from last year, several question marks on the o line, 2 new starters at receiver.
The defense SHOULD be good, but it’s been known to have a game or 2 where it all goes to pot.
This will be a very interesting year. We have a bunch of new players but they are all “DeBoer’s guys” now so we really need to win but I could understand why people think we won’t.
The defense SHOULD be good, but it’s been known to have a game or 2 where it all goes to pot.
This will be a very interesting year. We have a bunch of new players but they are all “DeBoer’s guys” now so we really need to win but I could understand why people think we won’t.
Posted on 4/17/26 at 9:09 am to Amarillo Tide
He's the schmuck with ON3 I see on YouTube all the time. Another one of the alleged experts who always shites on Alabama yet feels compelled to feature them almost daily. Given the circumstances with the total overhaul of the offensive line & a first yr starter at qb I don't think he's going out on a limb here. I do think the article is disingenuous stating fans expect the same level of dominance as Saban. No program is going to be able to maintain that level of play in the new college football landscape.
Posted on 4/17/26 at 9:13 am to Chris ALL Capps
Bama has kicked so many teams azzes for decades and been so successful, when we are down no one is going to feel sorry for us because they have wanted us to fail for a very long time. And they'll all line up to point, laugh, and get a kick at the champion,
Posted on 4/17/26 at 9:18 am to Amarillo Tide
Who cares? He has an opinion and he wants engagement for revenue generation so that opinion will be target those who jump at low hanging fruit
Posted on 4/17/26 at 11:13 am to Amarillo Tide
Who the hell is JD Pickell and why should any us give a shite what he thinks about Bama making the playoffs.
Posted on 4/17/26 at 11:16 am to hwyman108
I mean who is sure we are making the playoffs next year? Not me. 
Let's average 50 yards on the ground in league play first.
Let's average 50 yards on the ground in league play first.
Posted on 4/17/26 at 12:17 pm to Amarillo Tide
No idea who the guy is, but most pre-season polls have us in the 15-18 range. Seems like the going thought is mostly that we won't be in the playoffs.
End of the day, who cares? The games will determine all of the outcomes.
End of the day, who cares? The games will determine all of the outcomes.
Posted on 4/17/26 at 1:55 pm to Amarillo Tide
The only reference to Pickell in this story from Sports Illustrated is that he said on Finebaum that we wouldn’t make it. There’s a byline on the story but as Jehovah is my witness it reads like it was written by AI.
Posted on 4/17/26 at 2:05 pm to Amarillo Tide
I don't care what he thinks. It's year 3. Time for DeBoer to make something happen.
Posted on 4/17/26 at 3:28 pm to Amarillo Tide
quote:
JD Pickell
Is a watered down version of Josh Pate. Should not put much stock into what either has to say.
This Bama squad will be interesting. We’ve got some good talent for sure, but how intense and tough are they? We haven’t been tough and mean(!) on the OL or DL since like 2020 (really since 2017 for the DL).
Can’t have Ryan Williams being scared of contact or making a tough play over the middle.
RBs need to step up and crush blitzing rushers.
I want the OL to finish blocks every play and make the opponents’ Saturdays a four quarter living nightmare. If an opposing defender cheap shots our QB after the whistle, Michael Carroll & Co. better go to war on the field right then and there.
It’s a new regime and this is a young team. We need some mean as frick junkyard dawgs to step up and lead this team, and set the bar for everyone else. Do we have guys like that? I don’t know.
Posted on 4/17/26 at 3:30 pm to imjustafatkid
quote:
I don't care what he thinks. It's year 3. Time for DeBoer to make something happen.
He won the regular season SEC title and won a road playoff game before losing to the eventual national champion.
Posted on 4/17/26 at 3:40 pm to JIB
quote:
regular season SEC title
Not a thing.
quote:
won a road playoff game
Meaningless
quote:
losing to the eventual national champion
only part that matters
Posted on 4/17/26 at 3:56 pm to Hawaiian Punch
quote:
I want the OL to finish blocks every play and make the opponents’ Saturdays a four quarter living nightmare. If an opposing defender cheap shots our QB after the whistle, Michael Carroll & Co. better go to war on the field right then and there.
Klemm has a reputation of building some great OLs. It’s just not going to happen in one off-season. I think we will be better on the OL this year though.
Posted on 4/17/26 at 4:04 pm to CapstoneGrad06
winning playoff games not meaningless but I see your point too
Posted on 4/17/26 at 4:31 pm to McGregor
I never said it was. Winning a CFP game last year was a step forward for DeBoer.
Posted on 4/17/26 at 5:53 pm to Amarillo Tide
quote:
JD Pickell
Who?
Anyway, yeah, I don’t think we have anything well defined enough to just assume we’re in the hunt for a 12-team playoff. If everything comes together like we hope then I think we’re a bottom half of the bracket team this year.
Posted on 4/17/26 at 6:15 pm to CapstoneGrad06
Last year, the offensive line was erratic and inconsistent. This year, if they can be at least decent (or better) on a consistent basis, that is huge. I’m cautiously optimistic. I don’t expect miracles and it’s not realistic to expect them either. There’s too much inexperience to expect them to be dominant this year.
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