Make no mistake, Alabama will open the 2026 season with a win. A win that will not require the luck that Alabama needed to beat ECU in the 1998 season. Coached by Mike Dubose, the 1998 team stumbled by the Pirates in Birmingham. Alabama's 23-22 win included two failed extra-point attempts by ECU. One was returned by Alabama for a two-point score.
Alabama's 1998 team finished the season 7-5. The fifth loss came on a frigid December day, when Virginia Tech drubbed the Crimson Tide 38-7 in the Music City Bowl. Some of the Alabama football fans who bemoan the Tide's recent slide don't know or recall the history of the 1997-2003 seasons. In that span, Alabama gained just four wins in two seasons and only three wins in another.
On Saturday, the Crimson Tide's winning margin will be unimportant by the time the first Playoff rankings are released. There will be no 'brownie points' given for beating the Pirates badly.
For Alabama 'marked improvement' essential
While the final score won't matter, Alabama needs to show marked improvement against ECU. The Tide needs to be physical on both sides of the trenches. The offensive line must get sufficient push for the Tide's rushing attack to look nothing like last season. Beyond that, Alabama can experiment with player rotations and combinations.
The official depth chart released on Friday had many 'ors', and in some positions with no 'ors', starter roles remain fluid. Left guard and right tackle don't have settled starter roles. Apparently, Jayvin James is uninjured but not fully healthy. Rumored to be dealing with a health issue, James may not be 100%. As a result, Nick Brooks should spend time with the first unit against ECU.
Perhaps the biggest depth chart surprise was freshman Zyan Gibson as backup to Zabien Brown. Due to freshman defensive back Jorden Edmonds' injury, Gibson will get an early chance to show he can contribute to a loaded Crimson Tide secondary.
Other experiments available to Kane Wommack on Saturday will include using Devan Thompkins at multiple positions, along with how and where to rotate into the mix, Dre Kirkpatrick, Xavier Griffin, and Ivan Taylor. With these players and others, Wommack can use the ECU to test various combinations in a defense that won't be cookie-cutter in the 2026 season.
Note: Alabama football history details provided by Sports Reference
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