Alabama and Auburn Face a Defining 2026 After a Tumultuous 2025 Season
The 2025 college football season didn’t go according to plan for either of Alabama’s flagship programs, and as we look ahead to 2026, it’s clear both Auburn and Alabama are heading into a critical year-one that could redefine the balance of power in the Yellowhammer State.
Let’s start with Auburn. The Tigers wrapped up 2025 with a 5-7 record-marking their third such finish in the last four years.
That’s five straight seasons with at least seven losses, and while they had a shot at bowl eligibility, Auburn opted out of a potential appearance in the Birmingham Bowl, choosing not to risk finishing 5-8. It’s a decision that speaks volumes about where the program is right now: in transition, trying to build something more sustainable rather than chasing short-term optics.
Across the state, Alabama posted a 10-3 season, but that record doesn’t tell the full story. The Crimson Tide were thoroughly outplayed in the SEC Championship Game, losing by 21 points to Georgia-a loss that raised more questions than answers.
Still, thanks to the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format, Alabama backed into the No. 9 seed. They’re still alive in the national title race, but they’ll have to get past Oklahoma in the first round-a team that’s already beaten them twice in a row.
A third straight loss to the Sooners would be a tough pill to swallow for a program that’s used to being the one dishing out the heartbreak.
So what’s on deck in 2026? If you’re looking for a breather, you won’t find one in the SEC.
Alabama’s schedule starts off manageable, with a five-game stretch that includes East Carolina (home), Kentucky (away), Florida State (home), South Carolina (home), and Mississippi State (away). But then comes the real test.
Beginning October 10, the Tide enter a brutal five-game gauntlet: Georgia, a road trip to Tennessee, Texas A&M at home, a bye week, and then road games at LSU and Vanderbilt. After that, they get a brief reprieve with Chattanooga before the Iron Bowl caps off the regular season.
Auburn’s path isn’t any easier. The Tigers open with home games against Southern Miss and Florida, but that’s where the soft landing ends.
From there, it’s Vanderbilt at home, a road trip to Tennessee, a bye, then a punishing stretch featuring Georgia (away), LSU (home), and Ole Miss (away). The back half of the schedule offers a bit of relief, but the damage may already be done by then.
The reality is this: a nine-game SEC schedule is never easy, but 2026 looks especially daunting for both programs. These aren’t just tough schedules-they’re potentially season-defining ones.
Survive them, and you’re a contender. Stumble, and the pressure only mounts.
And pressure is something both head coaches are already feeling-albeit in very different ways.
At Auburn, Alex Golesh might be the new guy in town, but he’s quietly built a foundation that looks surprisingly stable. When he was hired, Golesh made some key concessions-most notably, retaining DJ Durkin as defensive coordinator, a move that helped win over key boosters and brought continuity on the defensive side of the ball. It’s one of the more under-the-radar moves of the offseason, but one that could pay dividends as the Tigers try to claw their way back to SEC relevance.
Alabama, on the other hand, finds itself in a more complicated situation. Kalen DeBoer has now had two seasons in Tuscaloosa, and while he’s kept the Tide competitive, the results haven’t met the sky-high expectations that come with that job.
He’s already weathered rumors linking him to Michigan, Penn State, and even the NFL. While he’s publicly committed to staying in Tuscaloosa, the whispers won’t go away until the wins start piling up-and the big ones start coming more consistently.
The pressure cooker that is Bryant-Denny Stadium isn’t for everyone, and right now, DeBoer is still trying to prove he’s the right man for the job. The “Bama Standard” is more than a catchphrase-it’s a measuring stick. And in the eyes of many, it’s one DeBoer hasn’t measured up to just yet.
So here we are, heading into 2026 with both programs at a crossroads. Auburn is trying to rise from the ashes of consecutive losing seasons, while Alabama is trying to hold onto its place near the top of the college football mountain. The Iron Bowl rivalry has always been intense, but this year, it feels like there’s more at stake than ever.
Could this be the year the balance of power in the state finally shifts? Auburn fans certainly hope so.
Alabama fans are counting on history to hold the line. Either way, buckle up-2026 is shaping up to be a wild ride in the Yellowhammer State.