Alabama got a modest bump in the AP Poll this week, climbing from No. 13 to No. 12 after handling East Carolina 48-10, and it marked a small but meaningful correction after the Crimson Tide opened the season lower than they should have.
That rise put Alabama ahead of Texas Tech, which beat Abilene Christian in its opener. It was only one spot, but for Kalen DeBoer’s team, it was a step in the right direction as the Tide try to push into the Top 10 over the next week or two while the schedule starts to stiffen.
The full AP Poll:
BREAKING: College Football AP Poll🚨 https://t.co/89dk3PyWTC pic.twitter.com/aOYdirpRkM
- On3 (@On3) September 8, 2026
Elsewhere in the rankings, Michigan took the biggest tumble of the week, falling from No. 16 to unranked after barely getting past Western Michigan behind an imaginary game clock and a Hail Mary.
Oregon also slid, dropping from No. 2 to No. 6 after a close escape against Boise State. The Ducks were given plenty of leeway despite looking shaky, while Alabama hasn’t always received the same treatment. That contrast stood out even more because both teams have recent College Football Playoff losses on the resume - Alabama’s 35-point Rose Bowl defeat to Indiana and Oregon’s 34-point loss in the semifinals.
Indiana moved up one spot even though its opener wasn’t especially clean, but Curg Cignetti’s group figures to sort things out soon enough. Still, the rushing numbers against North Texas were a reminder that one rough week up front doesn’t define a team, especially this early.
LSU made the biggest jump in the SEC, climbing from No. 11 to No. 8 after overwhelming Dabo Swinney’s Clemson. The Tigers looked strong, though that result said as much about the ACC side as it did about LSU.
Auburn also got a little attention in the receiving-votes group, collecting two points after edging Baylor by one in Atlanta. It was another example of pollsters leaning heavily on the final score, not always the full game. No one apologizes for a win, but Auburn’s probably the exception.
For Alabama, the next chance to keep climbing comes this weekend at Kentucky. A road SEC win, especially a convincing one, could be enough to get the Crimson Tide where they think they belong - back in the Top 10.
At this stage of the season, though, any win matters. The details can wait; the record cannot.
In Other News...
Keelon Russells Alabama Rise Says A Lot About This QB Room
Keelon Russells first start of the season against East Carolina offered a glimpse of why Alabama has been so encouraged by his development. The Crimson Tide quarterback threw for 256 yards and ran for 86 more, adding a touchdown in a performance that showed how quickly he has grown into a bigger role. It also underscored how much of his progress has come from the quarterback room around him, not just from his own talent.
Russell has been quick to credit former starter Ty Simpson for helping him sharpen his game and settle into the demands of the position. Simpsons Alabama career ended with a first-round selection by the Los Angeles Rams in the 2026 NFL Draft, a reminder of the standard Russell is trying to reach. For Alabama, the interesting part is not just Russells debut, but what it says about a room that keeps producing quarterbacks ready for the next step. [Read more 🡒]
LSUs SEC Fight Isnt Over And Alabama Fans Should Notice
The latest round of LSUs fight with the SEC has cooled the temperature a bit, but it is far from over. The dispute centers on two former NFL players seeking a fifth year of eligibility to suit up for LSU, and a judges preliminary injunction opened the door for them to be rostered while the legal back-and-forth played out. For now, that has been enough to keep the conference from taking the most dramatic step on the table, even if the underlying issue is still very much alive.
For Alabama fans, the larger takeaway is that this is not just an LSU problem or a one-day administrative squabble. The SEC may have pulled expulsion discussion from its meeting agenda, but more court hearings are pending and the conference could still decide to impose consequences on LSU later. In a league where every ruling can ripple outward, the outcome of this case is worth watching well beyond Baton Rouge. [Read more 🡒]
Why Alabama Keeps Trusting Christian Robinson With A Key Tide Role
Christian Robinson is back for his third season as Alabamas outside linebackers coach, and his steady presence has become part of the programs broader comfort level on the defensive side of the ball. Even with opportunities to move on to other jobs, Robinson has remained in Tuscaloosa, where he has earned praise for the way he approaches the work and the consistency he brings to a key position group.
For players like edge rusher Yhonzae Pierre, the value goes beyond technique or scheme. Pierre has pointed to Robinsons willingness to dive into film with his group and to stay engaged with them away from football, a combination that has helped build trust inside the room. In a program that has to keep developing pass rushers, that kind of coaching presence is part of why Alabama keeps leaning on him. [Read more 🡒]