Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes from Monday and Tuesday, November 3rd and 4th.
Alabama ranked No. 4 in first CFP rankings
The first College Football Playoff rankings of 2025 were released on Tuesday night, and Alabama is right where most figured. Just like the AP and Coaches Polls, the Crimson Tide is No. 4, behind unbeatens in Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M.
Of course, that ranking is mostly meaningless. It doesn't matter a single bit where you are ranked when November begins. But it does set Alabama up to be able to withstand one more loss and still make the playoff.
The Tide is playing with one more mulligan - just don't tell them that.
Qua Russaw trending toward a return 'sooner than later.'
According to Kane Wommack on Monday, Alabama redshirt sophomore Wolf LB Qua Russaw, who has been out since suffering a broken foot during the Tide's win over Georgia at the end of September, is close to making his return to action.
Kalen DeBoer doubled down on that, saying it was unlikely that Russaw would be able to play this weekend against LSU, but that things were looking promising moving forward. Reading between the lines, there appears to be a decent chance that Russaw is back on the field next week against Oklahoma.
Ty Simpson gives a blunt message to his teammates
Alabama heads into November riding a seven-game winning streak. The team's performance since losing the opener to Florida State should be commended. They have positioned themselves well for both the College Football Playoff and the SEC Championship Game. But a tricky November scheduled still awaits them.
Ty Simpson knows that. And he's doing everything he can to ensure he and his teammates are guarding against complacency.
"You're remembered for what you do in November," Simpson said. "But in order to be remembered for what you do in November, it starts in September and October. We've had a good September and October, and we need to make sure that we don't piss it away."
Labaron Philon leads Alabama basketball to a rout of North Dakota
Alabama basketball began the regular season on Monday night with a 91-62 blowout win over North Dakota in the lone tuneup before a ridiculous four-game gauntlet gets started on Saturday in Madison Square Garden against St. John's.
Alabama rolled without Aden Holloway, Latrell Wrightsell, and Keitenn Bristow, who were all held out with minor injuries. It didn't matter much. Labaron Philon looked every bit like a National Player of the Year candidate, finishing with a career-high 22 points and eight assists. I don't expect that new career-high to last for long.
Alabama women's basketball holds off pesky Stetson
Alabama women's basketball also tipped off its 2025-26 season on Monday night, but they had a much tougher time than the men. Kristy Curry may have her work cut out for her to get the Crimson Tide to the NCAA Tournament for a fourth year in a row.
Alabama led by just one at halftime, and saw the game tied heading into the fourth quarter. The Tide pulled away in the final period to win 82-73.
Curry got contributions from a lot of sources, with six players finishing in double figures. Senior Jessica Timmons - who medically redshirted a year ago - led Alabama with 21 points.