Progrums

Fall of the Crimson Dynasty: Alabama Hits No. 11

Alabama opens the 2026 season outside the top 10 for the first time since 2008, landing at No. 11 in the US LBM preseason coaches poll. The Crimson Tide had consistently started each campaign in the top ten from 2009 onward. Last year, Kalen DeBoer’s squad began at No. 8, stumbled in Week 1 against Florida State, then climbed back to No. 4 before finishing No. 9. Ohio State leads this year’s poll, followed by Oregon and Georgia. Notable first-place vote counts include 38 for the Buckeyes and 6 for the Ducks. Coaches from 66 Division I programs contributed to the rankings, reflecting a broad consensus that Alabama’s reign may be under threat.

It seems the pollsters finally got tired of Alabama’s pity party and decided to bench the Tide faster than Nick Saban’s meticulous stopwatch can tick. After nearly two decades of cruising in the top ten like a private jet, the Crimson Tide now finds itself in economy class at No. 11—complete with soggy peanuts and coach nags about tray tables. Rumor has it the voters convened in a smoky boardroom, grabbed their clipboards, and collectively exclaimed, “Let’s see how they like it outside the elite!” Meanwhile, Alabama fans are frantically googling “coach’s poll conspiracy” and stocking up on pitchforks shaped like football cleats. Buckle up: the Tide’s tumble just became college football’s favorite reality show.