Kalen DeBoer’s point after Alabama’s win over Kentucky was simple, and the second half backed him up: the Crimson Tide are going to get better.
That didn’t look obvious early. Alabama managed only six points on a pair of first-half field goals, and the offense spent too much time beating itself. But after halftime, the Tide flipped the script and put up 32 points, while the defense kept Kentucky buried.
The turnaround on that side of the ball was especially sharp. In the first half, Alabama’s defense scored the team’s only touchdown. In the second half, Kane Wommack’s unit was flat-out dominant and helped deliver the SEC road win.
Kentucky had six possessions in the second half, and the numbers tell the story. The Wildcats ran 26 plays, gained just 57 yards, and averaged 2.2 yards per play. They finished with 61 first-half rushing yards and only 63 for the game.
Trevion Ware summed up the defensive performance this way:
“Alabama defense today vs Kentucky:
1 pick six INT
2 fumble recoveries
4 sacks + 6 TFLs
2-14 on third downs
64 combined total tackles = 2.0YPC/63 yards rushing (209 total yards)
Game ball goes to Kane Wommack 🏉
- Trevion D. Ware ¹ᴷ📟 (@Tware1k) September 12, 2026”
That assessment fits what happened on the field. The one blemish came when Kentucky found a touchdown by throwing to a blocking-only tight end, but otherwise Alabama’s defense was in control.
There are still reasons to believe the offense has room to grow, even after that uneven first half in Lexington. Keelon Russell should keep developing, and Alabama’s offensive line looks like it has more upside than it showed last season.
Once Michael Carroll returns, that group should improve right away. And Daniel Hill’s 100-plus rushing yards against Kentucky won’t be the last time an Alabama back reaches that mark against an SEC defense.
Not everyone will be eager to forgive the first-half struggles. Some Alabama fans will still hold Kalen DeBoer and Ryan Grubb responsible for the sluggish offensive start, and that criticism is fair.
But there’s another way to look at it, too. With so few returning starters and a new quarterback whose college career had only 15 pass attempts, Alabama was always going to be a work in progress.
After the game, DeBoer said, “We're going to get better.”
For Alabama’s offense, that sounds like more than a slogan. If the defense keeps trending up even a little, Wommack’s group could carry the Crimson Tide a long way.
In Other News...
Alabama Had An Unexpected Game Problem While Trying To Settle Keelon Russell
During the third quarter against Kentucky, Alabama hit an unexpected snag while trying to settle in Keelon Russell, as the helmet communication link between the quarterback and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb went out. It was the sort of disruption teams prepare for but rarely want to test in real time, especially with a young quarterback still finding his rhythm in a live game.
Russell said the Tide had practiced for that kind of situation and were able to shift to sideline commands without losing control of the offense. Alabama kept rolling anyway, finishing off a 45-17 win, and the episode offered a small reminder that even in a lopsided game, the details of communication can still matter. [Read more 🡒]
Alabamas Backfield Picture Is Finally Starting To Get More Interesting
Alabamas SEC opener offered the clearest look yet at how the backfield is starting to sort itself out. Daniel Hill was on the field for 42 of 59 snaps and handled 18 carries for 104 yards, giving the Tide a steady lead option as the staff leaned more heavily on him than it had earlier in the season. Behind him, the rotation stayed wide open, with freshmen Trae'shawn Brown and EJ Crowell getting limited work and Kevin Riley seeing only a few snaps.
AK Dear remained out because of injury, which keeps another layer of uncertainty in play for a group that has already shown both upside and inconsistency through two games. Alabama has had its share of productive runs and touchdowns, but negative plays have also chipped away at the overall efficiency, so the next question is whether Hills workload becomes a one-game adjustment or the first sign of a more settled pecking order. [Read more 🡒]
Florida State's Latest Shakeup Comes Right Before Alabama
Florida State made a notable leadership change just days before its meeting with Alabama, announcing that Michael Alford is no longer the athletics director after four years on the job. Bruce Warwick will handle the role in the interim as the school begins the search for a permanent replacement, adding another layer of uncertainty around a program already under scrutiny.
The timing matters because the Seminoles are trying to steady themselves amid concerns about the football programs recent performance under Mike Norvell. With Alabama looming, the administrative shakeup only adds to the sense that Florida State is entering a critical stretch with plenty still unresolved around the direction of the program. [Read more 🡒]