A quick recap before looking at the first two Alabama football games of the 2026 season. Except for this one and the one that preceded it, the game posts have been single teams. The posts worked back from the Iron Bowl, skipping the Crimson Tide's no-brainer game against UT-Chattanooga. The previous ones are available here.
When I began, I considered skipping the East Carolina game as well. That would have been a mistake. According to ESPN's preseason FPI, the Pirates, ranked No. 68, are a better team than Power Four teams Purdue, Iowa State, and Syracuse. Other P4 teams ranked 60-67 are: Northwestern, Maryland, Cal, Minnesota, UCLA, Michigan State, West Virginia, and Rutgers. The Alabama Crimson Tide would be expected to beat all the teams, but the rankings show that East Carolina is no cupcake.
The Pirates won nine games last season, including a win over Pitt in the Military Bowl. What they will accomplish in 2026 can only be guessed because the Pirates lost 21 starters. Two transfer players are competing for the QB starter role. That the Pirates were a top 25 passing offense last season is meaningless now.
Alabama Football - East Carolina Game Prediction
Alabama Crimson Tide 38 - East Carolina 10
When Alabama travels to Lexington in Week 2, Wildcats' head coach Will Stein will be undefeated. After the Cats beat Youngstown State in Week1, Stein will be 1-0 in his head coaching career. Odds are that the Kentucky schedule will result in Stein's first season having a losing record.
Stein's record as Oregon's Offensive Coordinator has convinced Kentucky fans to forgive him for playing at Louisville. There is so much optimism in Lexington that some are predicting a Kentucky upset over Alabama.
Kentucky's Portal-rebuilt offense will be much-improved. Tennessee transfer Lance Heard was a key boost for the offensive line. In Week 2, the two offensive lines might not give either team an advantage. The Cats will have speed at wide receiver.
The Wildcats are not talent-rich, but the roster is capable of beating a more talented team in Lexington. It will not happen on Sept. 12. For Alabama fans, the game might not be pretty. The Crimson Tide's work in progress will be far from complete. But the Crimson Tide has the better defense and will have the better starting quarterback. Since 1922, Alabama has lost in Lexington only once - and it will not happen again in 2026.
Alabama Football - Kentucky Game Prediction
Alabama Crimson Tide 30 - Kentucky Wildcats 17
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