There is a wide range of predictions for the 2026 Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama fans are encouraged by ESPN's FPI, which ranks the Crimson Tide at No. 8. But the same algorithm projects an 8.6-win ceiling and only a 10.4% probability of winning the SEC.
Most 2026 season predictions have Texas and Georgia as the SEC's top-tier teams. Alabama is one of several teams chasing the Horns and the Dawgs.
Not being projected in the SEC's upper tier is unacceptable for Alabama fans. The 2026 season will be pivotal in determining how much the Tide must improve to regain upper-tier SEC status and national prominence.
The offseason bible for many college football fans is provided by Phil Steele. His voluminous detail about position groups presents the Crimson Tide with only one high-level offensive group. Steele ranks Alabama's receivers as No. 10 nationally, behind three SEC teams: Texas (No. 4), Tennessee (No. 7), and Florida (No. 9). Alabama's Game 3 opponent, FSU, is ranked No. 6.
At quarterback, Steele has Alabama ranked No. 38; No. 41 at running back; and No. 61 at offensive line. The rankings indicate that Kane Wommack's defense will carry a heavy load, while the Tide's quarterback and offensive line improve during the season.
Steele projects Alabama with the second-best secondary and No. 6 across the FBS. With the defensive line ranked as the SEC's fifth-best, the unit should be more of a strength than a weakness. The Tide's linebacker corps is a bit more suspect, at No. 22 nationally and seventh-best among SEC teams.
Alabama Crimson Tide Optimism
Steele does provide some optimism for Alabama fans. He picks the Crimson Tide as his FBS Surprise Team of the Year. Steele is not a DeBoer doubter. He reminds that DeBoer led a Washington team, less talented than Alabama, to a National Championship Game.
The 2026 Crimson Tide team has plenty of talent. The problem is so much of it is unproven. There is no cupcake on Alabama's first five games, but the schedule helps. Alabama should improve considerably during those games. Will it be enough for the four that follow? Steele does about a dozen sets of Power Rankings of teams. It requires buying his product to understand them. But in two of them, Alabama is projected to finish the regular season at 12-0.
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