Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes from the weekend with Bama on a bye:
Alabama tumbles in the AP, Coaches Polls without playing
The bye week was harsh to Alabama's ranking in the national polls. The Crimson Tide was No. 14 in both polls last week, but dropped to No. 16 in the Coaches Poll and No. 17 in the AP Poll on Sunday.
It had nothing to do with Alabama's performance during the bye week and more to do with big wins for Texas Tech and Indiana. The Red Raiders moved up five spots after a blowout win over Utah on the road. The Hoosiers moved up eight spots after destroying highly-ranked Illinois.
The one weird tidbit in the AP Poll was Georgia Tech leaping up ahead of Alabama this week. Alabama was apparently better than Georgia Tech last week after the Jackets beat Clemson, but not after Brent Key's team knocked off mighty Temple? Sure.
Joel Klatt is bullish on Alabama
College football analyst Joel Klatt has taken note of Alabama's quick turnaround following a disappointing performance against Florida State in Week 1. The competition level significantly dipped against UL Monroe and Wisconsin, but the Crimson Tide did exactly what they should have done against inferior opponents.
"I don't want to play Alabama right now," Klatt said. A big reason for that is how good Ty Simpson has played the last two weeks.
A few Alabama football recruiting updates
- 2027 No. 1 QB Elijah Haven will take a visit to Tuscaloosa for Alabama's Third Saturday in October matchup against Tennessee. Kalen DeBoer has the Crimson Tide on the shortlist for the elite Baton Rouge native, and will have a chance to make a big impression with the rival Volunteers in town.
- 3-star 2026 OL Jared Doughty is one of the fastest-rising players in his class. The Peach State native was once committed to Georgia State, but since his senior year started, he has received offers from Georgia, Missouri, Auburn, Alabama, Georgia Tech, Florida State, Ohio State, and Kentucky. Doughty will take an official visit to Tuscaloosa in November.
- Alabama will have to hold off Ohio State down the stretch to keep 4-star TE Mack Sutter in the 2026 class. The Buckeyes were one of Sutter's finalists when he chose the Crimson Tide over the summer, and Ryan Day and company are not giving up on trying to flip the Illinois native.
Najee Harris suffers an apparent torn Achilles
I wouldn't seek out the video if you haven't already seen it, but former Alabama RB Najee Harris suffered an apparent torn Achilles on Sunday during the Chargers' 23-20 win over the Broncos. As of Monday morning, the severity of the injury hasn't been officially revealed, but anyone who has ever seen a torn Achilles will tell you what happened to Harris. There are unmistakable signs.
Harris signed a one-year contract with the Chargers after spending the first four years of his NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His injury will obviously be season-ending, and could be the last snap he takes with the Chargers, as he will enter free agency again in the offseason.
Nate Oats announces Jalil Bethea had surgery, will miss some time
It wouldn't be the preseason for Alabama basketball without an injury to an expected key contributor. Just like last year when Chris Youngblood injured his ankle and missed the first eight games, Miami (FL) transfer Jalil Bethea suffered a foot injury and underwent surgery on Friday, according to Nate Oats.
The injury is not expected to be season-ending, but Bethea is going to miss some games as a result. The optimistic outlook would have Bethea back sometime in December, but how quickly he's able to assimilate into the rotation after missing an extended period of time will remain to be seen.
It sure would be nice to see what a fully healthy Oats roster might look like. Guess we'll never know.