One season does not define a program. One season defines a team. How a program is trending can be discerned in a three-to-five-season span. But defining a program requires a far longer period.
The Alabama Crimson Tide is a college football legacy program. The legacy was established before Nick Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa. Saban expanded Alabama's legacy to its greatest height ever. That fact does not get wiped away by two, or three, or even 10 disappointing seasons. In betting terms, the Crimson Tide football program should be playing with house money for a long time.
Alabama was a national power before Bryant, with Wallace Wade and Frank Thomas. As Saban did many decades later, Bryant took Alabama to a new pinnacle. That did not change when Bryant went 6-5 in 1969 and 6-5-1 in 1970. It didn't change when Ray Perkins was 5-6 in 1984. It didn't change when Mike Dubose was 4-7 in 1997 or when Mike Shula was 4-9 in 2003. A two-season record of 20-8 under Kalen DeBoer has not changed it either.
Don't just take my word for proof of this claim. Consider another source that is not looking through Crimson-tinted glasses. USA Today does an annual preseason college football 'program' ranking. Program, not team, and not even all-time program, but a ranking of the top 25 programs heading into the 2026 season.
The rankings were done by Blake Toppmeyer, Paul Myerberg, Jordan Mendoza, and Eddie Timanus. The USA Today quartet picked the Ohio State Buckeyes as No. 1. Alabama is No. 2, as explained: "Alabama football is more than a program, and it's bigger than an international brand. It’s a way of life. The Script A represents tradition and excellence."
Georgia, Notre Dame, and Texas round out the ranking's top five programs. Other SEC teams ranked are LSU at No. 6, Oklahoma at No. 8, Florida at No. 14, Texas A&M at No. 15, Tennessee at No. 16, Auburn at No. 21, and Ole Miss at No. 24.
Note: Alabama Crimson Tide season records provided by Sports Reference
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