Alabama keeps showing up in the same neighborhood in the SEC power rankings, but not in the top tier. After a round of post-Week 9 lists, the Crimson Tide’s range is narrow and stubborn: No. 5 to No. 7, with no ranking higher than No. 5 turning up.
The computer models are a little kinder. Kenneth Massey has Alabama as the SEC’s second-best team.
ESPN’s FPI slots the Tide third. Jeff Sagarin and Bill Connelly both place Alabama fourth.
But when it comes to human rankings, the picture gets less flattering - and more subjective.
That’s where the latest list lands Alabama at No. 4, a drop from last week’s No. 3 spot. Texas and Ole Miss are right there behind the Tide, which makes the margin feel thin and the debate feel very real.
Last week’s optimism around Alabama has been trimmed back a bit, and for good reason. The Tide’s loss in Knoxville still hangs over the conversation, and Tennessee’s No. 3 placement reflects that result. Alabama may still look strong in the models, but the weekly human rankings are asking for more proof.
At the top, Georgia stays put at No. 1 despite its loss to Auburn, with the Bulldogs still labeled the SEC’s best team. LSU checks in at No. 2, getting the edge because Sam Leavitt has settled in and moved from turnover-prone to the efficient quarterback he was expected to be in Lane Kiffin’s offense.
Behind Alabama, Texas lands at No. 5, with the note that Arch may not be special but the Longhorns’ defense is superb. Kentucky comes in at No. 6 after beating LSU but losing to Alabama, even as other rankings have the Wildcats much higher. Ole Miss sits at No. 7, carrying the familiar profile of a good offense and a not-good defense.
Missouri rounds out the group at No. 8. Ahmad Hardy didn’t play much on Saturday, but he is back for the Tigers and should give them a big boost.
In Other News...
Alabamas Playoff Outlook Just Took A Hit Before LSU
A quiet bye week still managed to nudge Alabama in the wrong direction in the playoff picture, at least according to the latest FPI update. The Crimson Tide slipped one spot to No. 6, while LSU climbed to No. 5, a reminder that even without playing, the margins around the top of the SEC can shift quickly as the season tightens.
The numbers are still favorable for Alabama, but the trend line is not ideal heading into a matchup with LSU. The Tides playoff probability dipped from 62.8% to 60.3%, and LSUs chances of beating Alabama ticked up from 55.1% to 57%, adding a little more pressure to a game that was already going to carry major weight in the conference race. [Read more 🡒]
Alabamas Playoff Push Now Hinges On Fixing One Problem Fast
A bye week gave Alabama a chance to reset before LSU, and the timing matters with the Crimson Tide still in the College Football Playoff picture. The focus inside the program has turned to the same issues that have followed them through stretches of the season: sluggish offensive starts, an offensive line dealing with injuries, and the need to get quarterback Keelon Russell into a rhythm early instead of asking the offense to play catch-up.
Coaches are also using this stretch to broaden the rosters base of experience, especially with younger players on both sides of the ball. The goal is twofold for Alabama, make Russell more comfortable so the offense can avoid risky plays, and build the kind of depth that can hold up over the final run of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Just Got An Early Reality Check For LSU Showdown
The first betting line for Alabamas Week 10 trip to LSU offers an early reminder that the road ahead will not be easy, even in a rivalry the Crimson Tide have traditionally controlled. Both teams are expected to enter the matchup ranked and with similar records, and the game comes right after bye weeks, which only adds to the sense that this one could carry real weight in the SEC race.
For Alabama, the number is a small but notable reality check in a series it still leads 58-27-5 and has won three straight. With College Football Playoff positioning and an SEC title path potentially on the line, this early line suggests oddsmakers see a tight matchup in Baton Rouge, where little about the recent history between these programs is likely to matter once kickoff arrives. [Read more 🡒]