We made it, folks. Football season is here. In three days, Alabama will kick off its 2026 campaign, looking to build upon last season's College Football Playoff berth. The goal for Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide this season is to take another step toward being a legitimate national title contender.
It might not be immediately realistic to think this team can win the national title with so many new faces and so much of the two-deep, particularly on offense, made up of freshmen and sophomores, but this team does have a chance to be a special group.
Alabama opens the season on Saturday against a quality opponent from the Group-of-Six. East Carolina is coming off a nine-win season, and their advanced metrics point to a team more than capable of giving the Crimson Tide a challenge.
This is far from just an opening weekend cupcake. The Pirates are a quality opponent capable of stressing Alabama if the Crimson Tide brings forth a similar effort to what they brought in last season's opener in Tallahassee.
Each Wednesday during the season, we'll offer our bold predictions for that weekend's matchup. Let's get bold.
4. Freshman LB Xavier Griffin records a sack
The 5-star freshman playing an immediate role on the Alabama defense has been foreshadowed throughout fall camp. Kane Wommack has spent a lot of one-on-one time in practice getting the youngster ready to play a role.
His quickest path to legitimate playing time is off the edge as a situational pass rusher while he continues to prepare for a Jihaad Campbell-type role in the future. Alabama desperately needs someone outside of Yhonzae Pierre to step up, and Griffin might be the best bet, even as a freshman.
Look for Griffin to make an immediate impact off the edge, getting home and sacking 25-year-old ECU QB Mitch Griffis.
3. Freshman WR Cederian Morgan reaches the endzone in his debut
It's not yet known how big a role Morgan will have right away, but the consensus inside the program is that he'll get on the field quickly. With Noah Rogers sidelined for at least the first couple of games, Morgan has been competing with Rico Scott and Derek Meadows for the WR3 role behind Ryan Coleman-Williams and Lotzeir Brooks.
Regardless of who "starts," all three of those guys will have a role early in the season. Morgan's size, hands, and leaping ability will make him a favorite of Keelon Russell's in the redzone. I think Morgan makes an immediate impact, catching a touchdown pass from Russell in his collegiate debut.
2. Alabama scores a non-offensive touchdown
Everyone loves a NOT.
Wommack and the defensive players have signaled a more aggressive approach to that side of the football this season. With depth and experience all over, Alabama is going to play more press-man coverage at the line of scrimmage, opening up more opportunities for takeaways.
There's a lot more faith in the defensive line this season, which should free the linebackers up to fly around. And if Alabama can get more of a pass rush, as Wommack hopes, quarterbacks will have to make rushed decisions, throwing into coverage against arguably the best secondary in college football.
Alabama will get the season started with a non-offensive touchdown. I expect that it will be a pick-six, though any non-offensive score will work.
1. Alabama rips off two running plays of 40+ yards
On the surface, that might not seem like that bold of a prediction. Until you look at the numbers from last season and realize that Alabama had one (1!!!) run of 40+ yards a year ago, and that was courtesy of AK Dear during garbage time of the blowout win over UL Monroe in Week 2.
I expect Alabama to double last season's total in just one game. Freshmen EJ Crowell and Trae'shawn Brown bring some much-needed explosiveness to the room. They are both capable of ripping off a big play if they are given a seam. Russell brings a more dynamic running threat to the QB position, and he's capable of turning on the jets for a big play, too.
Alabama has talked in bold terms about running the football effectively this season. There's a confidence emanating from inside the program that it's going to happen. Look for DeBoer and Ryan Grubb to try to set the tone on the ground in the opener, signaling to the remainder of the teams on Alabama's schedule that this offense won't be a one-trick pony in 2026.
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