Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes from Monday and Tuesday, November 10th and 11th.
No change for Alabama football in the 2nd CFP rankings
With all three teams ahead of it winning last week, coupled with the win over LSU, Alabama's place in the College Football Playoff rankings remained unchanged. Just like last week, Kalen DeBoer's Crimson Tide came in at No. 4, behind Ohio State, Indiana, and Texas A&M.
That could change next week, regardless of what happens around them. Alabama could score a third win over a Top 15 team in the CFP this weekend when No. 11 Oklahoma comes to Tuscaloosa. Alabama already holds wins over No. 5 (Georgia) and No. 14 (Vanderbilt).
As things currently stand, No. 4 Alabama would receive a first-round bye. It would set them up for a second-round matchup against Georgia, assuming the Bulldogs could take care of USF from the Group of Five. The full CFP rankings are below:
BREAKING: College Football Playoff Rankings🚨https://t.co/a66nNHOmzh pic.twitter.com/klQZxCIchW
— On3 (@On3sports) November 12, 2025
Alabama football making headway with several elite recruits
It was a big recruiting weekend for Alabama this past week. Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide hosted a plethora of elite recruits in Tuscaloosa who saw Alabama take down LSU, 20-9.
Perhaps none were bigger than the No. 1 QB in the 2027 class, Baton Rouge's Elijah Haven. The 5-star QB continues to trend toward Alabama, with him and his father consistently stating that Alabama is checking all the boxes for him.
Alabama got more good news from a 2027 5-star with OL Maxwell Hiller. The Pennsylvania native was also in Tuscaloosa over the weekend, and that visit went well enough that On3 recruiting expert Steve Wilftong placed an RPM in favor of Alabama for Hiller.
Alabama also sits in a pretty good spot for a 2026 flip target. 4-star Michigan State WR commitment Samson Gash took a visit to see the Tide in action this past weekend, too. Alabama has given him a lot to think about, and many believe DeBoer and company sit in a good spot to flip him with less than a month to go until the early signing period.
Nikhail Hill-Green the highest rated LB in the country in Week 11, per PFF
Alabama LB Nikhail Hill-Green has continued to come along as the season has progressed. The Colorado transfer has gone from an uncertain role into one of the Tide's most important defenders.
He came up with a big forced fumble and recovery in the first quarter against LSU, which directly led to Alabama's first points of the evening. According to PFF, Hill-Green was the highest graded LB in the country in Week 11.
Alabama basketball continues to be disrespected by AP voters
It was disrespectful enough that Alabama - the only team in college basketball to advance to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament the last three years, and fresh off back-to-back Elite Eight appearances and a Final Four berth in 2024 - would be ranked No. 15 in the preseason. Regardless of the roster turnover, Nate Oats earned the benefit of the doubt.
The Crimson Tide has already significantly outplayed that ranking, going on the road over the weekend and beating No. 5 St. John's in Madison Square Garden, led by a combined 63 points from Labaron Philon, Aden Holloway, and Latrell Wrightsell.
And despite sporting arguably college basketball's best win over the first week, Alabama only jumped up to No. 8 in this week's AP Poll. Voters chose to reward preseason biases instead of focusing on what has transpired on the court.
Alabama has a shot to make another statement on Thursday at Coleman Coliseum when No. 2 Purdue comes to town.
Taylor Bol Bowen called Alabama's 'wildcard' by Jon Rothstein
It's easy to get caught up talking about Alabama's terrific guard play in the aftermath of the win over St. John's, but it can't be overstated how vital the performance of Florida State transfer Taylor Bol Bowen was.
Bol Bowen took some hard coaching from Oats after a lackluster debut and put together a monster effort in the Garden. He finished with 17 points and 9 rebounds, and won the hard hat with the most blue collar points.
CBS Sports' Jon Rothstein called Bol Bowen Alabama's "wildcard" this season.
Alabama Women's Basketball rolls to dominate win over Alcorn State
Not to be outdone, Alabama's women's basketball team is off to a 3-0 start after a 92-39 shellacking of Alcorn State on Monday.
The Crimson Tide had three players finish in double-figures scoring with Essence Cody (17), freshman Ace Austin (16), and Ta'Mia Scott (11) leading the way.
Alabama's schedule is pretty easy. The Tide should get to 5-0 with back-to-back home games coming up against Alabama A&M (11/17) and Samford (11/19). After that, the team will travel to the Bahamas for the Pink Flamingo Championships the week of Thanksgiving. They'll open against Harvard and then play either Minnesota or USF.
It may be SEC play before we get a good indication of the quality of this team and if Kristy Curry has the squad to compete for a fourth straight NCAA Tournament bid.