Alabama football’s aspirations for a place in the College Football Playoffs were significantly impacted after suffering a 24-3 defeat to Oklahoma on Saturday. This loss marks the Crimson Tide’s third defeat of the season, an occurrence not seen since 2010 when they also finished a regular season with three losses. Now, Alabama must regroup as they prepare for their final regular-season game against Auburn in the Iron Bowl, scheduled for next Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium at 2:30 p.m. Auburn comes into this matchup with momentum, having just secured a thrilling 43-41 victory in four overtimes against Texas A&M.
Following the loss to Oklahoma, Alabama’s ranking took a hit. The Crimson Tide dropped six places to No. 13 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll, moving them out of the top-10. Currently, Alabama is among eight SEC teams featured in the top-25, alongside notable programs such as No. 3 Texas and No. 6 Georgia. Despite the setback, Alabama has recorded victories against three top-25 opponents this season: Georgia, South Carolina, and Missouri.
The team also fell to No. 13 in the AP Poll. Concerns are rising about the team’s direction without hopes of CFP participation, raising questions about how head coach Kalen DeBoer will keep the team motivated for the upcoming Iron Bowl.
As Alabama gears up for this storied rivalry, fans can hold onto the hope that a strong performance against Auburn can serve as a positive conclusion to an otherwise challenging season.
While the disappointment in the rankings and playoff prospects is palpable, the Iron Bowl presents an opportunity for redemption. It’s a chance for Alabama to showcase its resilience and reclaim some glory in what is sure to be an emotional and intense matchup against their long-time rivals.