Alabama didn’t get a bump in ESPN’s latest FPI rankings, but it did get something just as eye-catching: the Crimson Tide are now favored to beat Georgia.
That sets up a heavyweight matchup in Tuscaloosa on Saturday night between two of the SEC’s three unbeaten teams after Week 5. The other wrinkle is that the game won’t feature the Football Power Index’s top-ranked team. Georgia slipped to No. 2 in the new release, falling behind Ohio State.
The SEC still shows up in force near the top of the FPI. Five league teams are in the top 10: Georgia at No.
2, Texas at No. 4, Alabama at No.
6, LSU at No. 8 and Tennessee at No. 10.
Missouri made the biggest leap in the conference after its 45-17 win over Florida, climbing 17 spots to No. 18.
Most of the SEC’s other notable movement went the wrong way. Mississippi State fell seven spots to No. 27, while Florida dropped five places to No.
- South Carolina slid five spots to No. 38, and Arkansas moved down five to No.
In ESPN’s conference title odds, only three SEC teams are given a meaningful shot. Georgia sits at 32.8%, Texas at 31.3% and Alabama at 27.4%.
ESPN Analytics also now has Alabama as the favorite in the head-to-head with Georgia, giving the Crimson Tide a 52.6% chance to win.
The Playoff picture remains crowded with SEC teams, too. The FPI gives nine league teams double-digit odds to make the field: Texas at 91.4%, Alabama at 87.7%, Georgia at 85%, LSU at 37.9%, Tennessee at 27.1%, Florida at 14.6%, Mississippi State at 12.1%, Ole Miss at 11.4% and Missouri at 10%.
When it comes to the national title, only three SEC teams are above the 2.3% mark. Texas leads the group at 14.9%, followed by Georgia at 13.9% and Alabama at 12.5%.
The strength-of-schedule numbers tell another part of the story. Texas is the only SEC Playoff contender sitting near the top at No. 2 in current SOS rankings.
Georgia has the worst current SOS among SEC teams at No. 97, while Alabama has climbed to No. 23.
Looking ahead, Alabama’s path is still rugged. The Crimson Tide have the 11th-toughest remaining schedule in college football, tougher than Georgia’s No. 20 remaining slate and Texas’ No. 22.
In Other News...
Kirby Smart Just Validated Alabamas Identity Ahead Of Georgia
Alabama has spent the season leaning into a physical identity, and that reputation is starting to travel well beyond Tuscaloosa. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has repeatedly pointed to the strength of the defensive line and the groups effort as core traits for this team, a profile built as much on strain and toughness as it is on talent. That kind of image matters in a league where line play and grit usually decide whether a contender can hold up when the schedule gets heavy.
Kirby Smart reinforced that view this week ahead of Georgias meeting with Alabama, acknowledging the Crimson Tides size and physicality while also nodding to the way the roster has been built through recruiting and the transfer portal. Smart also singled out quarterback Keelon Russell for the progress he has made, a notable compliment considering how closely these teams will be studying every edge. For Alabama, the recognition is useful, but it also serves as a reminder that its identity is now clear enough for a rival to see and respect. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Defense Keeps Giving Kane Wommack A Reason To Pay Up
Kane Wommack has built a small but telling tradition around Alabamas defense, rewarding the staff with a Sunday-night dinner whenever the unit finds the end zone or posts a shutout. It is a lighthearted perk, but it also speaks to how much the coordinator values the people around him and the work that goes into producing those kinds of game-changing moments.
The latest tab came after cornerback Dijon Lee turned an interception into a touchdown against Mississippi State, another reminder that Alabamas defense has been creating reasons for Wommack to keep reaching for the check. Wommack said he appreciates the staffs hard work and the chance to sit down together, which makes the gesture feel less like a gimmick and more like part of the programs rhythm. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama-Tennessee Just Got A Twist Fans Will Be Talking About
Alabamas next trip to Knoxville is already on the calendar, and the details around the 2026 matchup with Tennessee give the Third Saturday in October some added shape. The Tide are set to visit Neyland Stadium on Oct. 17, 2026, with a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff and television information to be announced later, while the broader backdrop is the long-running history between the programs and the recent pattern of how their meetings have been handled.
What makes the scheduling note even more interesting is the jersey arrangement attached to the 2026 and 2027 games, a wrinkle fans will have plenty of time to circle. For now, though, Alabamas attention is on the present, with Georgia coming to Tuscaloosa for a home game that is expected to draw plenty of notable attendees, even as the future date with Tennessee starts to come into focus. [Read more 🡒]