What we know and don't know about Alabama Crimson Tide success in away games

There are rumblings the Alabama Crimson Tide has an away game problem. Even Alabama football fans ask if away games have become a bigger challenge in recent seasons. Given the 2024 schedule including, at Wisconsin, at Tennessee, at LSU, and at Oklahoma, there might be cause for concern.

Historically the Alabama football program has excelled in away games. Not including neutral site games as away, the outstanding site mccubed.net has compiled all the Crimson Tide's away game history. Alabama has a losing, away game record against only 11 programs.

It is no surprise Alabama's top rival, Auburn tops the list. The 'away game' history only goes back to 1989, but since then, Alabama's record in Auburn has been 7-10. The other 10 FBS programs have hosted the Crimson Tide for a combined 15 games. The three programs that have had the most success in those 15 games are Boston College, Notre Dame, and Rice. Alabama's away record against all three is 0-2.

The long history can be interesting but is not relevant for predicting the future. A more recent history, going back to the 2021 season might be of some value. In the 2021, 2022, and 2023 seasons Alabama Football played 14 true road games; again neutral site games are not counted as away. Alabama's record in the 14 games was 11-3. The three losses were close game heart-breakers in College Station, Knoxville, and Baton Rouge.

From a historical perspective two of the three losses to Texas A&M and LSU were anomalies. The Crimson Tide is 6-1 in College Station, and 29-10-3 in Baton Rouge. Alabama's record is Knoxville is 27-21-1.

Alabama Crimson Tide no longer a dependable road team?

Going back to the 2021 season, the three away game losses were by a combined deficit of seven points. Kyle Field, Neyland Stadium, and Tiger Stadium provide some of college football's biggest home-field advantages. During the 2021-2023 period Alabama prevailed in Gainesville and Austin; twice in Auburn, and once in College Station.

Some of the away wins were uncomfortably close, making the 11-3 record less impressive. Alabama Crimson Tide fans have reason to be concerned. This season's away games can indicate if there is cause for alarm. Alabama will face a hostile setting on Saturday, but the result should be no worse than a lower winning margin. Far more challenge will come in the Tennessee, LSU, and Oklahoma games.