Ranking Alabama football's most anticipated games on 2026 schedule

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Ranking Alabama football's most anticipated games on 2026 schedule

The Alabama Crimson Tide will open the 2026 college football season later this year against East Carolina on Sept. 5.

The Tide will likely find themselves in numerous tough matchups this upcoming season, as Alabama will need to be at their very best prior to the start of conference play in 2026. The Tide will more than likely face multiple opponents ranked inside the Top 15 next year, and Alabama faces an extremely difficult five-game stretch throughout the heart of SEC play.

Here’s an inside look at Alabama’s three most anticipated matchups in 2026.

vs. Georgia Bulldogs – Oct. 10

Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) breaks a tackle from Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Demello Jones (15) during the second quarter during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Alabama will enter the matchup in Tuscaloosa with an extremely young and unpredictable core on both offense and defense. The game will serve as a true test as to where the Tide stand, as Georgia is widely regarded as a top team in all of college football entering the 2026 campaign.

The matchup could emerge as the game of the year contender, as this year’s rendition of Alabama vs. Georgia will be as highly anticipated as ever before.

at Tennessee Volunteers – Oct. 17

Oct 18, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) runs with the ball during the first quart3er against the Tennessee Volunteers at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Leong-Imagn Images

Both Alabama and Tennessee will more than likely enter their matchup as two of the top teams in all of college football. The Tide will face an extremely tough task in facing the Vols at Neyland Stadium, but the matchup could prove to swing in Alabama’s favor, should the Tide play at a high level in Knoxville.

Both schools are expected to be top teams in the SEC, as the matchup will undoubtedly be a must watch game in 2026.

at LSU Tigers – Nov. 7

Nov 8, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama linebacker Yhonzae Pierre (42) fights off a block by LSU offensive lineman Carius Curne (57) to sack LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) for a loss at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama defeated LSU 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images

Alabama will travel to Baton Rouge for a matchup with the Lane Kiffin and the LSU Tigers during the final stretch of SEC play. The matchup will almost certainly prove to play a massive role in the conference standings, as each team is expected to be a prime candidate to compete for an SEC championship in December.

LSU is expected to enter 2026 as one of the most talented teams in all of college football, and a potential win against the Tigers in Death Valley would prove to be massive for Alabama next season.

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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Georgia, LSU among most anticipated Alabama football games in 2026

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