Alabama Football: 5 Bold Predictions for the Crimson Tide in 2026

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No program in the country has higher expectations than the University of Alabama. Nick Saban spoiled Crimson Tide fans. Now, Kalen DeBoer is coaching in Saban’s shadow, attempting to bring the Crimson Tide back to glory.

Fresh off a Rose Bowl beatdown at the hands of eventual national champion Indiana, the Crimson Tide have a point to prove. The storyline of the offseason in Tuscaloosa is who will win the starting quarterback battle between former five-star Keelon Russell and last season’s backup Austin Mack.

Outside of the quarterback room, the Crimson Tide have plenty of newness across the board. The offensive line is rebuilt after a disappointing 2025 campaign. Ryan Coleman-Williams headlines a rejiggered receiving corps. The secondary looks loaded, but questions remain about a few new-look linebackers.

Alabama plays a doozy of a conference slate and might have an uphill battle on its hands to make another appearance in the College Football Playoff field.

Here are five bold predictions for Alabama in 2026.

5 Bold Predictions for Alabama in the 2026 College Football Season

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen Deboer looks on during the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Alabama Will Miss Out on the 2026 College Football Playoff

Despite a disappointing Rose Bowl showing against Indiana, Alabama had a strong 2025 season. The Crimson Tide went 9-3 in the regular season, knocked off Georgia in Athens and pulled off a great comeback against Oklahoma in the CFP first round.

But this year’s team has a lot of new moving parts, and it feels a bit premature to pencil them in as a surefire College Football Playoff team.

The Crimson Tide will have a new quarterback and a totally reworked offensive line. Questions also remain about the viability of the receiving room. Couple all that newness with a difficult schedule that includes a three-game stretch in October that features games against Tennessee, Georgia and Texas A&M, and you have a recipe for a few losses.

Alabama will just miss out on the 2026 College Football Playoff.

Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell (12) drops back to pass.© Gary Cosby Jr&period;-Imagn Images

Keelon Russell Will Win the 2026 Quarterback Battle

Everything surrounding spring ball should be taken with a grain of salt, but it’s hard not to feel the buzz surrounding Russell, Alabama's sophomore quarterback.

Russell crushed it during the spring game, wowing with his dual-threat abilities, while Mack struggled in limited action, with DeBoer describing him as “dinged up.”

Mack might be the surer thing, but Russell’s dynamism and potential are undeniable. With a rebuilt offensive line and a lack of returning production at the running back position, the Tide could benefit from a more mobile quarterback like Russell.

Russell and Mack might split reps in Alabama’s season-opener against East Carolina. But all signs are pointing toward Russell snatching the job and being the full-time starter throughout the 2026 season.

The Alabama Secondary Will Be One of the Best Defensive Units in College Football

Alabama has plenty of unknowns in key positions entering the 2026 season. The quarterback will be brand-new. The offensive line will feature at least a few new starters. The same could be said at the linebacker position.

But one position group that is not under scrutiny in Tuscaloosa is the secondary. Cornerback Zabien Brown, safety Bray Hubbard and fellow defensive backs Keon Sabb and Dijon Lee are all back to wreak havoc on opposing wide receiver corps.

The Alabama secondary was the glue that held the defense together last season – and that will be the case again in 2026. If the above group stays healthy this season, they’ll make life incredibly hard on opposing offenses and be in contention for the title of the best secondary in all of college football.

Ryan Coleman-Williams Will Catch Six or More Touchdowns This Season

One of the more perplexing fall-offs in recent college football history was the sophomore slump exhibited by Coleman-Williams.

Coleman-Williams was pure dynamite as a 17-year-old freshman. He burst onto the scene after a truly outrageous 75-yard catch and run against Georgia and looked every bit like the next big thing at the wide receiver position.

RYAN WILLIAMS ARE YOU SERIOUS🤯🤯🤯
Alabama retakes the lead over Georgia pic.twitter.com/uVXuoa2BYO
— On3 (@On3) September 29, 2024

In 2025, he struggled with drops in a major way and was a non-factor down the stretch of the season. After an offseason spent on the JUGS machine and with a new quarterback throwing him the football, he’s poised for a nice bounce-back.

Last season, he tallied 49 catches for 689 yards and four touchdowns. This season, he’ll look a lot closer to the player we saw in his freshman year and will catch at least six touchdown passes this fall.

Alabama Will Lose to Georgia on Oct. 4

The highlight of last season’s up-and-down campaign was a monster win on the road in Athens, Ga. That night, Ty Simpson passed for 276 yards and two touchdowns and chipped in another score on the ground. It was probably his best showing of the season.

But in 2026, Georgia looks primed and ready to repeat as SEC champs. The Bulldogs return quarterback Gunner Stockton and a bevy of talent on the defensive side of the ball. And although this year’s game is in Tuscaloosa, the Bulldogs will get their revenge.

By early October, Russell should be firmly cemented as the starting quarterback. He’ll play well in the marquee matchup. But Georgia coach Kirby Smart rarely loses to the same team in back-to-back seasons. The Bulldogs will avenge last season’s loss by a slim margin and ride that win to another SEC title game appearance in 2026.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Aug 6, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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