• Alabama Football 4th Quarter Program
• Alabama Football 4th Quarter Program

The Alabama Crimson Tide football program represents the University of Alabama (variously Alabama, UA, or Bama) in the sport of American football. The team competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC).^[4] The team is currently coached by Nick Saban. The Crimson Tide is among the most storied and decorated football programs in NCAA history. Since beginning play in 1892, the program claims 17 national championships,^[2][5][6] including 12 wire-service (AP or Coaches) national titles in the poll-era, and five other titles before the poll-era.^[6][7][8] From 1958 to 1982, the team was led by Hall of Fame coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant, who won six national championships with the program.^[5] Despite numerous national and conference championships, it was not until 2009 that an Alabama player received a Heisman Trophy, when running back Mark Ingram became the university's first winner. In 2015, Derrick Henry became the university's second Heisman winner.^[9]

The 2006 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tide was led by head coach Mike Shula entering his fourth year at Alabama. Despite a strong 5–2 start, they finished out the season by losing four of their final five games.

Alabama has 905 official victories^[a][b] in NCAA Division I (an additional 21 victories were vacated and 8 victories and 1 tie were forfeited), has won 31 conference championships (4 Southern Conference and 27 SEC championships) and has made an NCAA-record 69 postseason bowl appearances. Other NCAA records include 23 winning streaks of 10 games or more and 19 seasons with a 10–0 start. The program has 34 seasons with 10 wins or more (plus one vacated),^[10][11] and has 41^[b] bowl victories, both NCAA records.^[12] Alabama has completed 10 undefeated seasons, 9 of which were perfect seasons. The Crimson Tide leads the SEC West Division with 14 division titles and 12 appearances in the SEC Championship Game. Alabama holds a winning record against every current and former SEC school. The Associated Press (AP) ranks Alabama 4th in all-time final AP Poll appearances, with 53 through the 2015 season.^[13][14]

Alabama plays its home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium, located on the campus in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.^[1] With a capacity of 101,821,^[1] Bryant-Denny is the 8th largest non-racing stadium in the world and the seventh largest stadium in the United States.

• 1History
  • 1.2National championships
• 2Individual accomplishments
  • 2.3Award winners
• 3Major rivalries
• 6Alabama and the NFL
• 8Future opponents

History[edit]

Head coaching history[edit]

Alabama has had 28 head coaches since organized football began in 1892. Adopting the nickname 'Crimson Tide' after the 1907 season, the team has played more than 1,100 games in their 114 seasons. In that time, 12 coaches have led the Crimson Tide in postseason bowl games: Wallace Wade, Frank Thomas, Harold D. 'Red' Drew, Bear Bryant, Ray Perkins, Bill Curry, Gene Stallings, Mike DuBose, Dennis Franchione, Mike Shula, Joe Kines, and Nick Saban.^[2] Eight of those coaches also won conference championships: Wade, Thomas, Drew, Bryant, Curry, Stallings, DuBose, and Saban. During their tenures, Wade, Thomas, Bryant, Stallings, and Saban all won national championships with the Crimson Tide.^[2]

Of the 27 different head coaches who have led the Crimson Tide, Wade,^[15] Thomas,^[16] Bryant,^[17] and Stallings have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. The current head coach is Nick Saban, who was hired in January 2007.^[18]

National championships[edit]

National championships in NCAAFBS college football are debated as the NCAA does not officially award the championship. Despite not naming an official National Champion, the NCAA provides lists of championships awarded by organizations it recognizes.^[6][19] According to the official NCAA 2009 Division I Football Records Book, 'During the last 138 years, there have been more than 30 selectors of national champions using polls, historical research and mathematical rating systems. Beginning in 1936, the Associated Press began the best-known and most widely circulated poll of sportswriters and broadcasters. Before 1936, national champions were determined by historical research and retroactive ratings and polls. [...] The criteria for being included in this historical list of poll selectors is that the poll be national in scope, either through distribution in newspaper, television, radio and/or computer online.'^[20]

Since World War II, Alabama claims only national championships awarded by the final AP Poll or the final Coaches' Poll. This policy is consistent with other FBS football programs with numerous national title claims, including Notre Dame, USC, and Oklahoma. All national championships claimed by the University of Alabama were published in nationally syndicated newspapers and magazines, and each of the national championship selectors, and are cited in the Official 2010 NCAA FBS Record Book.^[21] In addition to the championships claimed by the university, the NCAA has listed Alabama as receiving a championship for the 1945, 1966, 1975, and 1977 college football seasons.^[6][19]

In Alabama's 1982 media guide, the last for Coach Bryant, 1934 is listed as the only national championship before Coach Bryant in a footnote about the school's SEC history. In the 1980s, Alabama's Sports Information Director Wayne Atcheson started recognizing five pre-Bryant national championship teams (1925, 1926, 1930, 1934, 1941) by adding them to the University's Football Media Guide. According to Atcheson, he made the effort in the context of disputed titles being claimed by other schools, and 'to make Alabama football look the best it could look' to compete with the other claimants. Atcheson maintains that the titles are the school's rightful claims.^[22]

The University of Alabama 2009 Official Football Media Guide states that Alabama had 12 national championships prior to winning the 2010 BCS National Championship Game.^[23] The 2009, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2017 titles bring the total number of national championships claimed by Alabama to 17. Twelve of Alabama's national championships were awarded by the wire-services (AP, Coaches' Poll) or by winning the BCS National Championship Game.^[6][19]

In January 2013, CNN suggested that Alabama might be college football's new dynasty,^[24] and in May 2013, Athlon Sports ranked Alabama's ongoing dynasty as the fourth-best since 1934, behind Oklahoma (1948–58), Miami (1986–92), and Nebraska (1993–97).^[25]

National championship seasons[edit]

• 1925 – The 1925 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Wallace Wade, completed the regular season 9–0–0, winning the Southern Conference championship. Alabama was then invited to play Washington in the January 1, 1926 Rose Bowl. Coach Wade's team initially fell behind the undefeated Huskies, but rallied in the second half to defeat Washington 20–19. The outstanding player of the game was Johnny Mack Brown.^[26] This game is viewed by many football historians as the single most important event for Southern football, and is hailed 'the football game that changed the South.' Alabama was the first Southern football team to be invited to play in the Rose Bowl, and proved that the Southern teams could compete with those from the East, the Midwest and the West coast. The victory for Coach Wallace Wade established Alabama as a football powerhouse. The 1925 Alabama football team finished the season with a 10–0–0 record and was selected national champion by the Football Annual, Billingsley, and the Helms Athletic Foundation.^[5]
• 1926 – The 1926 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Wallace Wade, completed the regular season 9–0–0, winning the Southern Conference championship. Alabama was then invited to play Stanford in the January 1, 1927 Rose Bowl. Coach Wade's team tied the Indians 7–7 to finish the season 9–0–1. The outstanding player of the game was Fred Pickhard.^[26] The 1926 Alabama football team was selected national champion by Billingsley and the Helms Athletic Foundation.^[5]
• 1930 – The 1930 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Wallace Wade, completed the regular season 9–0–0, winning the Southern Conference championship. Alabama was then invited to play Washington State in the January 1, 1931 Rose Bowl. Coach Wade's team defeated the Cougars 24–0 to finish the season 10–0–0. The outstanding player of the game was John Campbell.^[26] The 1930 Alabama football team tied with Notre Dame as national champions in the Davis Poll.^[5]
• 1934 – The 1934 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Frank Thomas, completed the regular season 9–0–0, winning the Southeastern Conference championship. Alabama was then invited to play Stanford in the January 1, 1935 Rose Bowl. Coach Thomas' team defeated the Indians 29–13 to finish the season 10–0–0. The outstanding player of the game was Millard 'Dixie' Howell.^[26] The 1934 Alabama football team was selected national champion by Dunkel, Williamson, and Football Thesaurus.^[5] The University of Alabama honored Ben McLeod, Jr., the 95-year–old former backup End of the 1934 team at the September 6, 2008 Alabama–Tulane game.^[27]
• 1941 – The 1941 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Frank Thomas, completed the regular season 8–2–0. Alabama's squad finished 3rd in the Southeastern Conference.^[28] After losing to Mississippi State 14-0 and Vanderbilt,^[26] 7–0, Alabama finished the regular season ranked No. 20 in the AP Poll,^[29] which was the finalized with two games left in the regular season.^[30] The onset of World War II changed the college football postseason.^[31] Alabama was one of 10 teams chosen for post-season competition when they were invited to play Texas A&M in the January 1, 1942 Cotton Bowl Classic. Coach Thomas' team defeated the Aggies 29–21 to finish the season 9–2–0. Minnesota, the AP national champion, finished 8–0 and did not play in a bowl game per Big 10 rules. Alabama's outstanding players of the game were Holt Rast, Don Whitmire, and Jimmy Nelson.^[26] The squad was selected national champions by the Houlgate Poll, published in the nationally syndicated Football Thesaurus.^[5] The 2009 NCAA Record Book cites the Minnesota Golden Gophers, the Texas Longhorns, and the Alabama Crimson Tide as the three teams selected as national champions in 1941.^[6]The Tuscaloosa News described the 1941 Alabama Crimson Tide as the university's best team since the 1934 Rose Bowl Championship Team.^[31] The September 11, 1967 issue of Sports Illustrated lists Alabama's 1941 squad as national champion based on Alabama's strength of schedule relative to Minnesota's and because of the early final AP Poll.^[30]
• 1961 – The 1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Bear Bryant, completed the regular season 10–0–0, winning the Southeastern Conference championship. Led by quarterback Pat Trammell, linebacker Lee Roy Jordan and two–way lineman Billy Neighbors, Alabama outscored their opponents 297–25. Alabama was then invited to play the #9–ranked Arkansas Razorbacks in the January 1, 1962 Sugar Bowl. Coach Bryant's team defeated the Razorbacks 10–3 to finish the season 11–0–0. The outstanding player of the game was Mike Fracchia.^[26] The 1961 Alabama football team was selected national champion by the AP Poll and Coaches' Poll.^[5]
• 1964 – The 1964 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Bear Bryant, completed the regular season 10–0–0, winning the Southeastern Conference championship. Alabama was led by quarterback Joe Namath. Alabama was then invited to play the Texas Longhorns in the January 1, 1965 Orange Bowl. Coach Bryant's team lost to the Longhorns 21–17 to finish the season 10–1–0. The outstanding player of the game was Joe Namath.^[26] The 1964 Alabama football team was selected national champion by the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll prior to bowl games.^[5] The AP Poll waited until after the bowl games to select their champion for the 1965 season.
• 1965 – The 1965 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Bear Bryant, completed the regular season 8–1–1, winning the Southeastern Conference championship. The Tide lost to Georgia and tied Tennessee during the regular season. Alabama was then invited to play Nebraska in the January 1, 1966 Orange Bowl. Coach Bryant's team defeated the Cornhuskers 39–28 to finish the season 9–1–1. The outstanding player of the game was Steve Sloan.^[26] The 1965 Alabama football team was selected national champion by the AP Poll.^[5]
• 1973 – The 1973 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Bear Bryant, completed the regular season 11–0–0, winning the Southeastern Conference championship. Alabama was then invited to play Notre Dame in the December 31, 1973 Sugar Bowl. Coach Bryant's team lost to the Fighting Irish 24–23 to finish the season 11–1–0. The 1973 Alabama football team was selected national champion in the final regular season Coaches' Poll, which was finalized prior to the post-season bowl games.^[5] The Coaches' Poll began selecting their champion after the bowl games starting in 1974. The post-bowl game AP Poll ranked Alabama 4th, and selected Notre Dame as its national champion.^[32]
• 1978 – The 1978 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Bear Bryant, completed the regular season 10–1–0, winning the Southeastern Conference championship. The Tide defeated #10–ranked Nebraska 20–3, and defeated #11–ranked Missouri 38–20, and lost to #7-ranked Southern California 24–14, during the regular season.^[33] The #2-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide was then invited to play the #1–ranked Penn State in the January 1, 1979 Sugar Bowl. Coach Bryant's team defeated the Nittany Lions 14–7 to finish the season 11–1–0. The outstanding player of the game was linebacker Barry Krauss.^[26] Alabama was selected national champion by the AP Poll,^[5] and Southern California was selected national champion by the Coaches' Poll.^[33]
• 1979 – The 1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Bear Bryant, completed the regular season 11–0–0, winning the Southeastern Conference championship. The Tide defeated #18–ranked Tennessee 27–17, and defeated #14–ranked Auburn 25–18 during the regular season. Alabama was then invited to play #6–ranked Arkansas in the January 1, 1980 Sugar Bowl. Coach Bryant's team defeated the Razorbacks 24–9 to finish the season 12–0–0. The outstanding player of the game was running back Major Ogilvie.^[26] The 1979 Alabama football team was selected national champion by the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll.^[5]
• 1992 – The 1992 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Gene Stallings, completed the regular season 11–0–0. They then defeated #12–ranked Florida in the inaugural SEC Championship Game, defeating the Gators 28–21; the win gave Alabama its 20th SEC title and a record of 12–0–0. Alabama was then invited to play #1–ranked Miami, led by Heisman trophy winner Gino Torretta, in the January 1, 1993 Sugar Bowl. Coach Stallings' team defeated the Hurricanes 34–13 to finish the season 13–0–0. The outstanding player of the game was Derrick Lassic.^[26] The 1992 Alabama football team was awarded the national championship by the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll.^[5]

• 2009 – The 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Nick Saban, finished with a 12–0 regular season. In the 12 wins, the Crimson Tide defeated four teams that were ranked at the time, including an opening day victory over No. 7 Virginia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. The team headed back to the Georgia Dome in December to face off against #1 Florida in the SEC Championship Game. The Crimson Tide defeated the Gators 32–13 in a rematch of the previous year's championship.^[34] Alabama then traveled to Pasadena to face #2-ranked Texas in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game at the Rose Bowl. Alabama's Heisman Trophy-winning running back, Mark Ingram, rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns in a 37–21 win.^[35] This was Alabama's first victory over Texas (1–7–1). Ingram was named the game's offensive MVP in Alabama's first BCS victory. The 2009 Alabama football team was selected national champion by the AP and Coaches' Polls. The 2009 squad became the first FBS division team to defeat six teams ranked in the AP top 25 during one season and received a record six first team AP All-America selections. The 2009 team finished with a perfect 14–0 record, an all-time highest number of wins in a season for Alabama.
• 2011 – The 2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Nick Saban, completed the regular season 11–1. The only loss of the season was to LSU in overtime 9–6.^[36] The team did not play in the SEC Championship Game because of that loss, but won convincingly in its final three regular-season games and earned a No. 2 ranking in the BCS poll.^[37] For their final regular season game, Alabama defeated rival Auburn 42-14.^[38] Alabama, led by Heisman trophy finalist Trent Richardson, then qualified to play No. 1 ranked LSU in the 2012 BCS National Championship Game.^[37] Coach Saban's team defeated the Tigers 21–0 and finished the season 12–1.^[39]Jeremy Shelley had a bowl record-tying five field goals in the game, and the game's offensive MVP was AJ McCarron, and the defensive MVP was Courtney Upshaw.^[39] With the win, Alabama became the first team to shutout its opponent in a BCS bowl game.^[39] In addition to winning the BCS National Championship, the AP also awarded its national title to Alabama for the 8th time.^[40]
• 2012 – The 2012 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Nick Saban, completed the regular season 11–1. The only loss of the season was against Texas A&M 29–24.^[41] Despite the loss, Alabama won the SEC Western division and went to the 2012 SEC Championship Game, where they defeated Georgia 32–28 for the 23rd conference championship in school history.^[42] Alabama earned a No. 2 ranking in the final BCS rankings for the second straight year and as a result qualified for the 2013 BCS National Championship Game against No. 1 Notre Dame.^[43] Alabama defeated the Fighting Irish 42–14, finished the season 13–1, and the game's offensive MVP was Eddie Lacy, and the defensive MVP was C.J. Mosley.^[44] Alabama became the third team in history to win three national championships in a four-year period. This was Alabama's 9th AP national championship and 10th wire-service championship.^[44]
• 2015 – The 2015 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Nick Saban, finished the regular season 11–1. Their only loss was to Ole Miss 43–37. They won the SEC Western Division title with a record of 7–1, defeating rivals LSU and Tennessee en route, and then defeated Florida 29–15 in the SEC Championship. Alabama returned to the playoffs for the second consecutive season. After falling short in the semifinals against Ohio State in 2014, Alabama defeated the Michigan State Spartans 38–0 in the Cotton Bowl to advance to the Championship Game. Alabama beat the Clemson Tigers 45–40 and won the 2015 FBS national championship. Alabama's Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry rushed for 158 yards and 3 touchdowns. This victory gave Coach Nick Saban his fifth national title, including four in the last seven seasons.
• 2017 - The 2017 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Nick Saban, finished the regular season 11-1. Their only loss was at Auburn 26-14. They won a share of the SEC Western Division title with a record of 7-1. Alabama returned to the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Alabama avenged the previous season's only loss in the National Championship game to Clemson with a 24-6 win in the Sugar Bowl. The Tide advanced to the Championship game for the third year in a row. Alabama defeated SEC opponent Georgia 26-23 in overtime. The victory gave Nick Saban his sixth national title, tying him with Paul W. Bryant for most all time. It's also Alabama's fifth title in the last nine seasons.

Conference championships[edit]

Alabama has won a total of 31 conference championships; this includes 4 Southern Conference and 27 SEC Championships. Alabama captured its 4 Southern Conference titles in 1924, 1925, 1926, and 1930. Alabama captured the first SEC title in 1933 and has won a total of 27 SEC Championships (1933, 1934, 1937, 1945, 1953, 1961, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1989, 1992, 1999, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018). The school has won more SEC football titles than any other school, including eight since the conference split into separate divisions and added the Championship Game in 1992. Alabama is the only school to win an SEC Championship in every decade since the conference was founded in 1933.

Alabama Football 4th Quarter Program

Divisional championships[edit]

The SEC has been split into two divisions since the 1992 season. Alabama competes in the SEC West. Alabama has won or shared 14 division titles, and has posted a 8–4 record in the SEC Championship Game as of 2018.

Individual accomplishments[edit]

First team All-Americans[edit]

Every year, several publications release lists of their ideal 'team'. The athletes on these lists are referred to as All-Americans. The NCAA recognizes five All-American lists. They are the Associated Press (AP), American Football Coaches Association (AFCA), Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Sporting News (TSN), and the Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFF). Alabama has had 131 players honored 153 times as first team All-Americans (74 consensus)^[45][46] in its history, including 18 players honored twice and two players (Cornelius Bennett and Woodrow Lowe) who were honored three times as a First Team All-American.^[47]

The most recent All-Americans from Alabama came after the 2018 season, when Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy, Jonah Williams, Ross Pierschbacher, Quinnen Williams and Deionte Thompson were each named First Team All-America by various selectors.

College Football Hall of Fame inductees[edit]

In 1951, the College Football Hall of Fame opened in South Bend, Indiana. Since then, Alabama has had 20 players and 4 former coaches inducted into the Hall of Fame.^[48][49] Alabama had two members inducted into the inaugural 1951 class—Don Hutson^[50] and Frank Thomas.^[51]

Award winners[edit]

Overall[edit]

• Heisman Trophy

  Mark Ingram (2009)

  Derrick Henry (2015)

• Maxwell Award

  AJ McCarron (2013)

  Derrick Henry (2015)

  Tua Tagovailoa (2018)

• Walter Camp Award

  Derrick Henry (2015)

  Tua Tagovailoa (2018)

• Sporting News Player of the Year

  Mark Ingram (2009)

  Tua Tagovailoa (2018)

• Chuck Bednarik Award

  Jonathan Allen (2016)

  Minkah Fitzpatrick (2017)

• Bronko Nagurski Trophy

  Jonathan Allen (2016)

Positional[edit]

• Doak Walker Award

  Trent Richardson (2011)

  Derrick Henry (2015)

• Fred Biletnikoff Award

  Amari Cooper (2014)

  Jerry Jeudy (2018)

• Butkus Award

  Derrick Thomas (1988)

  Rolando McClain (2009)

  C.J. Mosley (2013)

  Reuben Foster (2016)

• Jim Thorpe Award

  Antonio Langham (1993)

  Minkah Fitzpatrick (2017)

• Lombardi Award

  Cornelius Bennett (1986)

  Jonathan Allen (2016)

• Outland Trophy

  Chris Samuels (1999)

  Andre Smith (2008)

  Barrett Jones (2011)

  Cam Robinson (2016)

  Quinnen Williams (2018)

• Rimington Trophy

  Barrett Jones (2012)

  Ryan Kelly (2015)

• Ted Hendricks Award

  Jonathan Allen (2016)

• Sammy Baugh Trophy

  Steve Sloan (1965)

• Paul Warfield Trophy

  David Palmer (1993)

  Amari Cooper (2014)

• Jim Parker Trophy

  Andre Smith (2008)

  Barrett Jones (2011)

• Jack Lambert Trophy

  Rolando McClain (2009)

• Jack Tatum Trophy

  Antonio Langham (1993)

• Bill Willis Trophy

  Quinnen Williams (2018)

• Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award

  Jay Barker (1994)

  AJ McCarron (2013)

• Kellen Moore Award

  AJ McCarron (2013)

Other[edit]

• Lott Trophy

  DeMeco Ryans (2005)

• Wuerffel Trophy

  Barrett Jones (2011)

• William V. Campbell Trophy

  Barrett Jones (2012)

• Joe Moore Award

  Offensive Line (2015)

Coaching[edit]

• AFCA Coach of the Year

  Paul 'Bear' Bryant (1961, 1971, 1973)

  Gene Stallings (1992)

• Paul 'Bear' Bryant Award

  Gene Stallings (1992)

• Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year

  Gene Stallings (1992)

  Nick Saban (2008)

• Walter Camp Coach of the Year

  Gene Stallings (1992)

  Nick Saban (2008, 2018)

• George Munger Award

  Gene Stallings (1992)

  Nick Saban (2016)

• Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year

  Bill Curry (1989)

  Nick Saban (2014)

• AP Coach of the Year

  Nick Saban (2008)

• Sporting News Coach of the Year

  Nick Saban (2008)

• Home Depot Coach of the Year

  Nick Saban (2008)

• Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award

  Nick Saban (2008)

• Bobby Bowden Coach of the Year

  Nick Saban (2009, 2011, 2012)

• Broyles Award

  Kirby Smart (2009)

  Mike Locksley (2018)

• AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year

  Kirby Smart (2012)

Heisman Trophy[edit]

On December 12, 2009, Mark Ingram became Alabama's first Heisman Trophywinner.^[9] In the closest race ever, he edged out Stanford running back Toby Gerhart by 28 points.^[9] Other notable finishes for an Alabama player occurred in 1993, when David Palmer finished 3rd in the Heisman voting^[52][53] and when AJ McCarron finished as runner-up for the 2013 season.^[54]Derrick Henry became Alabama's second Heisman trophy winner on December 12, 2015.^[55]

Top 5 finishes for Alabama players:

SEC Legends[edit]

Starting in 1994, the Southeastern Conference has annually honored one former football player from each of the SEC member schools as an 'SEC Legend'. The following former Crimson Tide football players have been honored as SEC Legends.

• 1994 Lee Roy Jordan
• 1995 Harry Gilmer
• 1996 Billy Neighbors
• 1997 John Hannah
• 1998 Holt Rast
• 1999 Johnny Musso
• 2000 Dwight Stephenson
• 2001 Joe Namath
• 2002 Vaughn Mancha
• 2003 Jeremiah Castille
• 2004 Bob Baumhower
• 2005 Cornelius Bennett
• 2006 Steve Sloan
• 2007 Ken Stabler
• 2008 Bart Starr
• 2009 Antonio Langham
• 2010 Cornelius Griffin
• 2011 Dennis Homan
• 2012 Paul Crane
• 2013 Marty Lyons
• 2014 Bobby Humphrey
• 2015 Woodrow Lowe
• 2016 Chris Samuels
• 2017 Gene Stallings
• 2018 Shaun Alexander

Major rivalries[edit]

Auburn[edit]

The main rivalry of the Crimson Tide is against its in-state rival, Auburn University; considered one of the top rivalries in all of sports. The Alabama-Auburn game has come to be known as the Iron Bowl.^[56][57] The outcome of the game generally determines 'bragging rights' in the state of Alabama until the following contest. The game may also have implications as to which team will represent the SEC Western Division in the SEC Championship Game.

On February 22, 1893, at Lakeview Park in Birmingham, Auburn was victorious in the first ever Iron Bowl, 32–22. The series was suspended after the 1907 contest, due to violence and financial complications.^[58] In 1944, Auburn suggested to reopen the series, though the Board of Trustees at Alabama rejected. The series was resumed in 1948, with Alabama crushing the Tigers 55–0, which is still the largest margin of victory in the series.^[59][60] In the following contest, Auburn shocked Alabama with a 14–13 victory, which is credited with helping revive the series.^[61]

For many years, the contest was held at Legion Field in Birmingham, before the teams began alternating between Bryant-Denny Stadium, in Tuscaloosa, and Jordan–Hare Stadium, in Auburn. Alabama won the recent meeting 52-21 in Tuscaloosa and currently leads the series at 46-36-1.^[62]

Tennessee[edit]

Despite the heated in-state rivalry with Auburn, Bear Bryant was more adamant about defeating his rivals to the north, the Tennessee Volunteers.^[63] The series is named the Third Saturday in October, the traditional calendar date on which the game was played. Despite the name, the game has been played on the third Saturday only five times between 1995–2007. The first game between the two sides was played in 1901 in Birmingham, ending in a 6–6 tie. From 1902 to 1913, Alabama dominated the series, losing only once, and never allowing a touchdown by the Volunteers. Beginning in 1928, the rivalry was first played on its traditional date and began to be a challenge for the Crimson Tide as Robert Neyland began challenging Alabama for their perennial spot on top of the conference standings.^[64] In the 1950s, Jim Goostree, the head trainer for Alabama, began another tradition as he began handing out cigars following a victory over the Volunteers.^[65]

Between 1971–1981, Alabama held an eleven-game winning streak over the Volunteers and, between 1986–1994, a nine-game unbeaten streak. However, following Alabama's streak, Tennessee responded with a seven-game winning streak from 1995–2001. Alabama has won the last 12 meetings from 2007–2018, a new record. Alabama won the most recent meeting 58-21 in Knoxville, and leads the series 56-38–7.^[62]

LSU[edit]

A rivalry within the SEC Western Division occurs yearly between Alabama and the LSU Tigers. Starting in 1895, the Tigers were victorious 12–6 in the first meeting.^[62] The teams did not regularly meet until the mid-1960s during Alabama's dominance of the SEC. Between 1971–1981, the Crimson Tide won 11 consecutive times. In the 1969 game, LSU defeated Alabama 20–15 in Baton Rouge. Alabama did not lose again in Baton Rouge until 2000.

In 2007, the meeting was more heated following Alabama's hiring of head coach Nick Saban, who previously coached at LSU. With the hiring, many media outlets dubbed the 2007 meeting as the 'Saban Bowl'.^[66][67][68] The Crimson Tide lost the first 'Saban Bowl' in 2007, won the 2008 and 2009 meetings only to lose in Baton Rouge in 2010.

In 2011, the teams played as the consensus No. 1 and No. 2 ranked teams in the polls with LSU winning 9–6 in overtime. They played each other again for the BCS National Championship with Alabama winning 21–0 to secure its 14th National Championship. Alabama won the most recent meeting 29-0 in Baton Rouge and leads the head-to-head series 53-25–5.^[62]

Mississippi State[edit]

Alabama's most played rival is Mississippi State. The rivalry has been called the 'Battle for Highway 82', with the schools only 90 miles apart. Alabama has dominated the series winning 83 of the 103 meetings. Alabama won the most recent meeting 24-0 in Tuscaloosa, and leads the series 83-17-3.

Ole Miss[edit]

Alabama also maintains a rivalry with the Ole Miss Rebels. Alabama has won 54 of the 66 meetings. Alabama won the most recent meeting 62-7 in Oxford, and leads the series 54-10-2.

Georgia[edit]

Alabama has a rivalry with the Georgia Bulldogs. Alabama has 40 wins in the series while the Bulldogs have 25 wins. Alabama won the most recent meeting 35-28 in the 2018 SEC Championship Game and leads the series 40-25-4.

Clemson[edit]

In recent years, Alabama has developed what some consider to be a rivalry with the Clemson Tigers.^[69][70][71] In the build-up to the 2018 Sugar Bowl, players and coaches from both teams referred to the series as a 'respectful' rivalry.^[72][73] There are numerous connections between the two programs. Clemson's top three winningest head coaches, Frank Howard, Dabo Swinney, and Danny Ford, all played at Alabama, as did Clemson coaches Hootie Ingram and Charley Pell. The teams first played each other in 1900. The series escalated into a rivalry when the teams met in the College Football Playoff in the 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018 seasons. Clemson won the most recent meeting 44-16, and Alabama leads the series 14-5.

Former rivalries[edit]

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets were at one time considered Alabama's arch rival. During the suspension of the Iron Bowl between 1907 and 1948, Georgia Tech (then a member of the SEC) emerged as the most intense game on Alabama's schedule. The teams played many significant games, especially in the late 1950s and early 1960s. A heated feud developed between Bear Bryant and Georgia Tech head coach Bobby Dodd following a controversial hit in the 1961 game, a 10–0 Alabama victory.^[74] Dodd cited this feud as the primary impetus for Georgia Tech leaving the SEC three years later.^[75] The two teams have met 52 times, making Georgia Tech Alabama's most played among current non-conference opponents. Alabama leads the series 28–21–3; Georgia Tech won the last meeting in 1984. Alabama's fight song, 'Yea Alabama', mentions Georgia Tech with the line 'Send the Yellow Jackets to a watery grave.'^[76]

There have been many historic games between Alabama and Penn State. The two teams met five times during the tenure of Bear Bryant, including in the 1979 Sugar Bowl, which determined the national championship for the 1978 season. The games usually have national implications – seven of the fifteen meetings between the two schools have featured both teams ranked in the Top 10 – and eight of the meetings have been decided by a touchdown or less. The most recent game was in 2011, with Alabama winning 27–11. It was the final loss for long-time Penn State head coach Joe Paterno. Alabama leads the series 10–5.

All-time record vs. current SEC teams[edit]

Official record (including any NCAA imposed vacates and forfeits) against all current SEC opponents as of the completion of the 2018 season:

Bowl games[edit]

This is a partial list of the ten most recent bowl games Alabama competed in. For the full Alabama bowl game history, see List of Alabama Crimson Tide bowl games.

Overall bowl record: 41-26-3 (70 games)

Alabama and the NFL[edit]

Pro Football Hall of Fame[edit]

Eight former Alabama football players have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the fourth most among all colleges.

Currently in the National Football League[edit]

• Jonathan Allen, DE – Washington Redskins
• Ryan Anderson, LB – Washington Redskins
• Anthony Averett, CB – Baltimore Ravens
• Mark Barron, LB - Pittsburgh Steelers
• Bradley Bozeman, C – Baltimore Ravens
• Tony Brown, CB – Green Bay Packers
• Isaiah Buggs, DT - Pittsburgh Steelers
• James Carpenter, OG – Atlanta Falcons
• Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S - Chicago Bears
• Landon Collins, S – Washington Redskins
• Amari Cooper, WR – Dallas Cowboys
• Marcell Dareus, DT – Jacksonville Jaguars
• Gehrig Dieter, WR – Kansas City Chiefs
• Kenyan Drake, RB – Miami Dolphins
• Rashaan Evans, LB- Tennessee Titans
• Minkah Fitzpatrick, FS- Miami Dolphins
• D.J. Fluker, OT – Seattle Seahawks
• Reuben Foster, LB – Washington Redskins
• Robert Foster, WR- Buffalo Bills
• Brandon Greene, OL- Carolina Panthers
• Shaun Dion Hamilton, LB- Washington Redskins
• Da'Shawn Hand, DE – Detroit Lions
• Damien Harris, RB - New England Patriots
• Ronnie Harrison, SS- Jacksonville Jaguars
• J.C. Hassenauer, OL- Pittsburgh Steelers
• Derrick Henry, RB – Tennessee Titans
• Hale Hentges, TE - Indianapolis Colts
• Dont'a Hightower, LB – New England Patriots
• OJ Howard, TE – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Marlon Humphrey, CB- Baltimore Ravens
• Mark Ingram, RB- Baltimore Ravens
• Eddie Jackson, S – Chicago Bears
• Kareem Jackson, CB – Denver Broncos
• Josh Jacobs, RB - Oakland Raiders
• Cyrus Jones, CB – Baltimore Ravens
• Julio Jones, WR – Atlanta Falcons
• Ryan Kelly, C – Indianapolis Colts
• Dre Kirkpatrick, CB – Cincinnati Bengals
• Cole Mazza, LS- Los Angeles Chargers
• AJ McCarron, QB- Houston Texans
• Christian Miller, LB - Carolina Panthers
• CJ Mosley, LB – New York Jets
• Daron Payne, NT – Washington Redskins
• Ross Piersbacher, C - Washington Redskins
• Reggie Ragland, LB – Kansas City Chiefs
• Jarran Reed, DT – Seattle Seahawks
• Calvin Ridley, WR – Atlanta Falcons
• A'Shawn Robinson, DT – Detroit Lions
• Cam Robinson, OT – Jacksonville Jaguars
• Bo Scarbrough, RB – Seattle Seahawks
• JK Scott, P- Green Bay Packers
• Cam Sims, WR – Washington Redskins
• Irv Smith Jr., TE - Minnesota Vikings
• Saivion Smith, CB - Jacksonville Jaguars
• Deionte Thompson, S - Arizona Cardinals
• Dalvin Tomlinson, DT – New York Giants
• Levi Wallace, CB- Buffalo Bills
• DeAndrew White, WR - Carolina Panthers
• Jonah Williams, OT - Cincinnati Bengals
• Quinnen Williams, DL - New York Jets
• Tim Williams, LB – Baltimore Ravens
• Mack Wilson, LB - Cleveland Browns
• TJ Yeldon, RB- Buffalo Bills

Coaching staff[edit]

Media[edit]

During the football season, the Crimson Tide Sports Network (CTSN) broadcasts multiple shows on gameday for most sports. The network includes more than sixty radio stations across the country. Radio stations WFFN-FM, WTSK-AM as a backup, broadcast all home games in the Tuscaloosa area.^[79]

Football radio broadcasts begin three hours prior to the game's designated kickoff time with Chris Stewart and Tyler Watts in Around the SEC.^[80] The radio broadcast then moves to the Crimson Tide Tailgate Party hosted by Tom Roberts.^[80] Immediately following the end of the game, the Fifth Quarter Show begins as host Eli Gold talks to coaches and players and gives game statistics.^[80] For the 2008 season, former Alabama players and personalities were brought on to provide guest commentary for each broadcast.^[81]

Current radio staff:^[82][83]

• Eli Gold – play-by-play
• John Parker Wilson – color analyst
• Rashad Johnson – sideline reporter
• Chris Stewart, Tyler Watts – pre- and post-game show co-host
• Tom Roberts – director of broadcasting
• Tom Stipe, Butch Owens, Brian Roberts – producers

Stewart and Watts also provide play-by-play and color commentary respectively for CTSN pay-per-view television broadcasts.

Former radio staff:

• Bert Bank, founder of the Alabama Football Network, producer emeritus
• John Forney, play-by-play
• Jerry Duncan, sideline reporter
• Paul Kennedy, play-by-play
• Doug Layton, color analyst
• Ken Stabler, color analyst^[84][85]

Future opponents[edit]

Non-division conference opponents[edit]

Alabama plays Tennessee as a permanent non-division opponent annually and rotates around the East division among the other six schools.^[86]

Non-conference opponents[edit]

Announced schedules as of July 30, 2019.

Source:^[87]

• The 2020 game against USC will be part of the Advocare Classic held at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.^[88]
• The 2021 game against Miami will be part of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.^[89]

See also[edit]

Notes[edit]

1. ^ In 1995, the NCAA forfeited Alabama 8 regular season victories and 1 tie from the 1993 season.^[90]
2. ^ In 2009, the NCAA vaca

References[edit]

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39. ^ ^abc'Alabama's D embarrasses LSU as five FGs, late TD seal national title'. ESPN.com. Associated Press. January 9, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
40. ^'2011 NCAA Football Rankings – Postseason'. ESPN.com. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
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42. ^'Alabama holds off Georgia, reaches BCS Championship Game'. ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 1, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
43. ^'Irish-Bama 1–2; N. Illinois busts BCS'. ESPN.com. ESPN.com news services. December 2, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
44. ^ ^ab'Alabama routs Notre Dame, wins 3rd BCS title in past 4 years'. ESPN.com. ESPN.com news services. January 7, 2013. Retrieved July 4, 2014.
45. ^'Awards compiled NCAA 2008 Record Book Division 1 Football'. NCAA. DocStoc. Archived from the original on July 2, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2009.
46. ^'Awards and the NFL'(PDF). University of Alabama Athletics. Archived from the original(PDF) on March 20, 2009. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
47. ^2009 Alabama Football Media Guide^{[permanent dead link]}, p. 156. University of Alabama.
48. ^'Alabama in the College Football Hall of Fame'(PDF). University of Alabama Athletics. Archived from the original(PDF) on August 20, 2008. Retrieved October 11, 2008.
49. ^'Hall of Fame: Select group by school'. College Football Hall of Fame. Football Foundation. Retrieved October 11, 2008.
50. ^Don Hutson at the College Football Hall of Fame
51. ^Frank Thomas at the College Football Hall of Fame
52. ^'Ingram wins Alabama's 1st Heisman'. ESPN. Associated Press. December 13, 2009. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
53. ^'1993 – 59TH Award'. Heisman Memorial Trophy. Heisman.com. Archived from the original on July 2, 2016. Retrieved December 13, 2009.
54. ^Gribble, Andrew (December 14, 2013). 'Full breakdown of Heisman trophy voting: Behind Jameis Winston, a tight pack led by AJ McCarron'. AL.com. Retrieved December 14, 2013.
55. ^'Alabama's Henry runs off with Heisman victory'.
56. ^'The 10 greatest rivalries'. ESPN. January 3, 2007. Archived from the original on September 24, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
57. ^Rappoport, Ken; Barry Wilner (2007). 'The Iron Bowl: Auburn-Alabama'. Football Feuds: The Greatest College Football Rivalries. Globe Pequot. p. 77. ISBN1-59921-014-2.
58. ^Football Feuds: 79
59. ^'The University of Alabama Football Facts'. 2000. Archived from the original on November 19, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
60. ^'This is Alabama Football: Iron Bowl'(PDF). University of Alabama Athletics. p. 157. Archived from the original(PDF) on May 4, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
61. ^Football Feuds: 80
62. ^ ^abcd'The Record Book'(PDF). University of Alabama Athletics. Archived from the original(PDF) on March 20, 2009. Retrieved October 2, 2008.
63. ^Football Feuds: 81
64. ^Browning, Al (2001). Third Saturday in October: Tennessee Vs. Alabama: the Game-by-game Story of the South's Most Intense Football Rivalry. Cumberland House. ISBN1-58182-217-0.
65. ^Dunnavant, Keith (2006). 'The Missing Ring'. The Missing Ring: How Bear Bryant and the 1966 Alabama Crimson Tide Were Denied College Football's Most Elusive Prize. Macmillan. p. 170. ISBN0-312-33683-7.
66. ^Carlton, Chuck (November 2, 2007). 'LSU, Alabama to meet in first Saban Bowl'. The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
67. ^'Bayou, LSU fans brace for Nick Saban Bowl'. New York Daily News. November 1, 2007. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
68. ^'It's Saban Bowl for riled LSU fans'. The Seattle Times. November 1, 2007. Archived from the original on December 5, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
69. ^https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2017/12/03/clemson-alabama-playoff-rivalry-continues-in-sugar-bowl/108281478/
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72. ^https://www.seccountry.com/alabama/is-alabama-clemson-a-rivalry-players-from-both-sides-are-mostly-in-agreement
73. ^https://www.seccountry.com/alabama/dabo-swinney-alabama-vs-clemson-rivalry-developed-thats-healthy-respectful
74. ^https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Rz9SAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OHkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6881,547355&dq=chick+graning+incident
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78. ^2019 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide, p. 2
79. ^'Radio/TV Information'. University of Alabama Athletics. Archived from the original on September 30, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
80. ^ ^abc'CTSN Game Broadcasts'. University of Alabama Athletics. Archived from the original on September 14, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
81. ^'CTSN Ready for 2008 Football Season'. University of Alabama Athletics. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
82. ^'The Crew'. University of Alabama Athletics. Archived from the original on October 3, 2008. Retrieved October 17, 2008.
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84. ^Williamson, Bill (July 11, 2008). 'Ex-Raiders star Stabler leaves radio gig'. ESPN. Archived from the original on October 9, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
85. ^'Stabler leaves UA radio job'. The Huntsville Times. July 12, 2008. Archived from the original on June 9, 2011. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
86. ^'SEC Future Football Schedule Rotation Announced'. fbschedules.com. Retrieved June 14, 2014.
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88. ^'Alabama-USC to kick off 2020 season in Texas'. ESPN.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
89. ^Richards, George (September 5, 2017). 'Miami Hurricanes to renew football rivalry with Nick Saban and Alabama'. Miami Herald. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
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Further reading[edit]

• Barnhart, Tony; Keith Jackson (2000). Southern Fried Football: The History, Passion, and Glory of the Great Southern Game. Triumph Books. ISBN1-60078-093-8.
• Davis, Terry (1999). Roll Tide: The Alabama Crimson Tide Story. Creative Education. ISBN0-88682-975-5.
• Forney, John (1993). Talk of the Tide: an oral history of Alabama football since 1920. Crane Hill Publishers. ISBN1-881548-03-1.
• Gold, Eli (2005). Crimson Nation. Thomas Nelson Incorporated. ISBN1-4016-0190-1.
• Groom, Winston (2000). The Crimson Tide – An Illustrated History. The University of Alabama Press. ISBN0-8173-1051-7.
• Langford, George (1974). The Crimson Tide: Alabama Football. H. Regnery Co. ISBN0-8092-8363-8.
• Sharpe, Wilton (2007). Crimson Tide Madness: Great Eras in Alabama Football. Cumberland House Publishing. ISBN1-58182-580-3.
• Townsend, Steve (2003). Tales from 1978–79 Alabama Football: A Time of Champions. Sports Publishing LLC. ISBN1-58261-425-3.
• Walsh, Christopher J. (2005). Crimson Storm Surge: Alabama Football Then and Now. Taylor Trade Publishing. ISBN1-58979-279-3.
• Wells, Lawrence (2000). Football Powers of the South. Sports Yearbook Company. ISBN0-916242-27-7.
• Athlon Sports; Mike Shula (2006). Alabama Football: The Greatest Games, Players, Coaches, and Teams in the Glorious Tradition of Crimson Tide Football. Triumph Books. ISBN1-57243-880-0.
• The Tuscaloosa News; Mike Bynum, Associated Press (2003). Greatest Moments in Alabama Crimson Tide Football History. Distributors. ISBN1-928846-65-3.

External links[edit]

• Official website

The 2018 Alabama Crimson Tide football team (variously 'Alabama', 'UA', 'Bama', or 'The Tide') represented the University of Alabama in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season. This season marked the Crimson Tide's 124th overall season, 85th as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and 27th within the SEC Western Division. They played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and were led by twelfth-year head coach Nick Saban.

Alabama, coming off a national championship winning season in 2017, began the season ranked first in the AP Poll for the third consecutive year and fifth time under Nick Saban. The Tide opened the year with a dominant victory over Louisville in the Camping World Kickoff played in Orlando, Florida. Alabama won their remaining regular season games to achieve their second undefeated regular season in three years. As champions of the SEC's Western Division, they played in the 2018 SEC Championship Game, defeating Eastern Division champion Georgia, in a rematch of the 2017 national title game, 35–28, to win the school's 27th SEC title. In the final College Football Playoff rankings of the year, Alabama was ranked first, which earned them their fifth consecutive playoff berth and a spot in the 2018 Orange Bowl against fourth-ranked Oklahoma. Alabama won that game 45–34 to advance to the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship against Clemson, their fourth consecutive playoff match-up against Clemson and the third to be in a national title game. The Crimson Tide lost in a blowout, 16–44, representing the Tide's worst loss in the Saban era.^[1]

The Crimson Tide were led on offense by sophomore quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who won the starting job over two-year starter Jalen Hurts. Tagovailoa set the NCAA FBS record for passing efficiency rating (199.4),^[2] was a consensus first-team All-American, and finished second in voting for the Heisman Trophy behind Oklahoma's Kyler Murray. Hurts, despite losing the starting role, received praise for sticking with the team and helping to mount a comeback in the SEC Championship Game when Tagovailoa went down with an ankle injury.^[3] Also receiving consensus first-team All-America honors on offense were wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, winner of the Biletnikoff Award, and offensive tackle Jonah Williams. On defense, Alabama featured two consensus All-Americans, defensive lineman Quinnen Williams and defensive back Deionte Thompson.

• 2Offseason
• 3Preseason
• 6Personnel
• 7Game summaries
• 9Statistics
• 10Awards and honors
  • 10.5Postseason
• 12Media Affiliates

Previous season[edit]

Alabama came into the season ranked No. 1 in both preseason polls and finished the 2017 regular season with a record of eleven wins and one loss (11–1 overall, 7–1 in the SEC), the sole loss being to Auburn in the Iron Bowl. The Crimson Tide were ranked number 4 the season prior to their national championship appearance against Georgia. The Crimson Tide opened the season with eleven consecutive victories that included one over Florida State at a neutral site, against Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Tennessee in a game that saw many team records broken and a victory over LSU at Bryant–Denny Stadium. In their twelfth game, Alabama was upset by Auburn, keeping them out of the SEC Championship Game. During the final College Football Playoff (CFP) Selection poll, Alabama was included at number 4 and played number 1 Clemson in a rubber match of the past two playoffs in the semi-final game played at the Sugar Bowl winning 24–6. Alabama was matched in the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship game against number 3 Georgia who beat Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl, 54–48. Alabama won in overtime, 26–23, to secure the CFP National Championship. Alabama was also selected as champions by the Associated Press (AP) ^[4] for a record 11th time in program history and recognized by the National Football Foundation (NFF) as the McArthur Bowl recipient,^[5] giving Alabama their 17th claimed national title. The Crimson Tide finished the 2017 season with a record of 13–1.

Offseason[edit]

Offseason departures[edit]

Recruiting[edit]

The 2018 football recruiting cycle was the first in which the NCAA authorized two signing periods for high school seniors in that sport. In addition to the traditional spring period starting with National Signing Day on February 7, 2018, a new early signing period was introduced, with the first such period falling from December 20–22, 2017.^[6]

Source:

Incoming transfers[edit]

Alabama added one transfer to the 2018 roster.

Returning starters[edit]

Offense

Position key[edit]

Preseason[edit]

Award watchlists[edit]

Listed in the order that they were released

SEC media poll[edit]

The SEC media poll was released on July 20, 2018 with the Crimson Tide predicted to win the West Division and the SEC overall.^[21]

Preseason All-SEC teams[edit]

The Crimson Tide had 13 players at 14 positions selected to the preseason all-SEC teams.

Spring game[edit]

The 2018 Crimson Tide had spring practice from April 2018. The 2018 Alabama football spring game, 'A-Day' took place in Tuscaloosa, AL on April 21, at 1 p.m. CST.

Schedule[edit]

Alabama announced its 2018 football schedule on September 19, 2017. The 2018 Crimson Tide schedule consists of 7 home and 4 away games for the regular season. Alabama will host four SEC conference opponents Texas A&M, Missouri, Mississippi State (Rivalry) and arch-rival Auburn for the 125th annual Iron Bowl to close out the regular season and will travel for four SEC opponents to Ole Miss (Rivalry), Arkansas, Tennessee (Third Saturday of October) and close out on the road at LSU (Rivalry). Alabama is not scheduled to play SEC East opponents Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, South Carolina and Vanderbilt in the 2018 regular season. The Crimson Tide’s bye week comes during week 9 on October 27.

Alabama's out of conference opponents represent the ACC, Southern and Sun Belt. The Crimson Tide will host three non–conference games which are against Arkansas State and Louisiana of the Sun Belt and The Citadel of the SoCon and travel to Orlando, FL for Camping World Kickoff host Louisville from the ACC.

Schedule Source:^[22][23]

Personnel[edit]

Coaching staff[edit]

Roster[edit]

Depth chart[edit]

Game summaries[edit]

vs. Louisville[edit]

Statistics

vs. Arkansas State[edit]

Statistics

at Ole Miss[edit]

Statistics

vs. Texas A&M[edit]

Statistics

Alabama Football 4th Quarter Program

vs. Louisiana[edit]

Statistics

at Arkansas[edit]

Statistics

vs. Missouri[edit]

Statistics

at Tennessee[edit]

Statistics

at LSU[edit]

Statistics

vs. Mississippi State[edit]

Statistics

vs. The Citadel[edit]

Statistics

vs. Auburn[edit]

Statistics

vs. Georgia (SEC Championship Game)[edit]

Statistics

vs. Oklahoma (Orange Bowl–CFP Semifinal)[edit]

Statistics

vs. Clemson (National Championship)[edit]

Statistics

Rankings[edit]

In-season polls

Statistics[edit]

Team[edit]

Offense[edit]

Defense[edit]