Alabama enters 2026 with the 15th-ranked strength of schedule according to ESPN’s Football Power Index.
The Crimson Tide’s four-game stretch against Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M and LSU is widely considered the toughest stretch in college football this season.
Let’s take a look at some of these games individually with a high school yearbook superlatives twist:
Easiest Game — vs. Chattanooga
Alabama’s game against FCS opponent Chattanooga will be the easiest game on its schedule.
In 2025, the Mocs finished under .500 for the first time since 2017. They are entering year eight under head coach Rusty Wright, a tenure that has only been fruitful for about six wins per year.
Alabama has not lost to an FCS team since NCAA Division I was split into two subdivisions for football, compiling a 21-0 record in that time span.
Week 12, tabbed as “cupcake week” by fans and media, should be no problem for the Crimson Tide.
Toughest Game — vs. Georgia
It’s hard to overlook the Oct. 10 matchup against Georgia as the toughest game on Alabama’s schedule.
Alabama went into Athens last season and beat the Bulldogs, ending the longest home-winning streak in the nation and propelling the Crimson Tide after their early-season loss to Florida State. Atlanta was not as favorable, with Georgia taking down Alabama to win their second straight SEC Championship game and third in four years.
Once again, head coach Kalen DeBoer’s team has a chance to get a resume-boosting win that could give the program national title momentum once again.
Trap Game — at Mississippi State
A week before Georgia comes to town, Alabama takes a 90-minute trip into Mississippi to take on the Bulldogs.
Mississippi State has seen steady improvement in record since hiring Jeff Lebby two years ago, improving from 2-10 to 5-8 with a bowl appearance last season. They had three one-score losses last season to Tennessee, Florida and Texas.
They now turn to second-year quarterback Kamario Taylor. The Mississippi native and highest-rated quarterback recruit in program history shined in limited action as a freshman, earning starts to end the season against Ole Miss in the Egg Bowl and Wake Forest in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
“We all know what we’re getting into when we step between those lines. So, I’m just grateful for it,” Taylor said. “It’s not even a blessing in disguise. All this is a direct blessing. So, you just gotta be ready for the moment, and I am.”
Running back Fluff Bothwell returns after rushing for 677 yards last season while battling injury. Anthony Evans will take the top wide receiver spot after Brennan Thompson left for the NFL. Evans totaled 67 catches for 831 yards and four touchdowns after transferring in from Georgia.
Playing in a packed out Davis-Wade Stadium full of cowbell-shaking fans the week before playing Georgia is a bad mix for Alabama. This is definitely the trap game the Crimson Tide will need to avoid losing.
College GameDay Potential — vs. Texas A&M
While Alabama’s home game against Georgia might be the toughest and most anticipated game of the season, their Week 8 matchup against Texas A&M has the best potential for hosting ESPN’s College Gameday.
The only games to challenge College GameDay appearing in Tuscaloosa week eight are Utah vs. Houston, SMU vs. California and Michigan vs. Indiana. In contrast, when the Crimson Tide face the Bulldogs, Penn State plays USC and Oklahoma faces Texas.
Dallas will likely be the destination that week with Oklahoma and Texas both likely ranked in the top 10 and Red River being one of the biggest rivalries in College Football.
There is a legitimate chance Texas A&M is undefeated when they come to Bryant-Denny Stadium, playing at most two ranked opponents in LSU and Missouri to that point. An undefeated Texas school playing the script A on Saban Field? Sounds like College GameDay material to me.
Wildcard — at Tennessee
The Third Saturday in October always has high stakes.
Alabama has lost their last two games at Neyland Stadium by three and seven points respectively. DeBoer is 1-1 against the Volunteers as the Crimson Tide’s head coach.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel’s team is the wildcard of the conference in 2026, possibly starting true freshman Faizon Brandon behind center while also returning some of the most experienced skill position players in the league.
The defense is also a major question mark, with not much improvement to a secondary that was one of the worst in the SEC. The defensive returns some of their known stars, such as linebacker Arion Carter, but with the loss of highly touted Penn State transfer and pass rusher Chaz Coleman due to personal reasons after Spring practice, the pass rush has become a greater unknown.
There’s a chance Alabama walks into Neyland and gets handed its third straight loss on the Volunteers’ home turf, there’s an equally good chance Tennessee is reeling from early season losses and defensive coordinator Kane Wommack takes advantage of a young quarterback.
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