The Crimson Tide are among the most storied and decorated football programs inNCAA history. It claims 18national championships,[6][7][8] including 13 wire-service (AP orCoaches') national titles in the poll-era and five titles from before the poll-era.[8][9][10] From 1958 to 1982, Hall of Fame coachPaul "Bear" Bryant led the program to six national tiles.[7] Head coachNick Saban oversaw another golden era between 2007 and 2023, winning six further national titles. It was not until 2009, however, that running backMark Ingram II became the first Alabama player to receive aHeisman Trophy. In 2015,Derrick Henry became the university's second Heisman winner.[11] The program achieved two further Heisman Trophies in 2020 and 2021; these were awarded toDeVonta Smith andBryce Young, respectively.
Alabama has 983 official victories[a][b] in NCAA Division I (an additional 21 victories were vacated, and eight victories and one tie were forfeited). Alabama has won 34 conference championships (4Southern Conference and 30 SEC championships), and has made an NCAA-record 78 postseason bowl appearances. The program has 36 seasons with ten wins or more (plus one vacated)[12][13] and has 46[b] bowl victories, both NCAA records.[14] The Crimson Tide lead the SEC West Division with 18 division titles and 15 appearances in theSEC Championship Game. TheAssociated Press (AP) ranks Alabama fourth in all-time final AP Poll appearances, with 61 through the 2023 season.[15]
Of the 27 different head coaches who have led the Crimson Tide, Wade,[16] Thomas,[17] Bryant,[18] and Stallings have been inducted into theCollege Football Hall of Fame. The current head coach isKalen DeBoer, who took over the position in 2024 following the retirement of long-time head coach Nick Saban following the 2023 season.[19][20][21]
National championships
National championships inNCAAFBS college football are debated as the NCAA does not officially award the championship. Despite not naming an officialNational Champion, the NCAA provides lists of championships awarded by "major selectors."[8][22] 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."[23]
Since World War II, Alabama claims only national championships awarded by the finalAP Poll or the finalCoaches' Poll.[citation needed] This policy is consistent with other FBS football programs with numerous national title claims,[citation needed] including Notre Dame,USC, andOklahoma, except that in the pre-1936 era, unlike Alabama, there are major selectors' titles that these schools do not claim. 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.[24] In addition to the championships claimed by the university, the NCAA has listed Alabama as receiving a championship for the1945,1966,1975, and1977 college football seasons.[8][22]
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.[25] Four of the five championships claimed in the Media Guide come before the AP poll was introduced in 1936. Many schools claim national championships from pre-1936 because there was no contemporary or nationally recognized authoritative source before that year.
In January 2013, CNN suggested that Alabama might be college football's new dynasty,[27] and in May 2013, Athlon Sports ranked Alabama's ongoing dynasty as the fourth-best since 1934, behindOklahoma (1948–58),Miami (1986–92), andNebraska (1993–97).[28]
1925 – The1925 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Wallace Wade, completed the regular season 9–0–0, winning theSouthern Conference championship. Alabama was then invited to playWashington 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 wasJohnny Mack Brown.[32] 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 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 retrospectively selected national champion byWilliam Boand,Richard Billingsley, and the one-manHelms Athletic Foundation.[7] The 2009 NCAA Record Book cites the Michigan Wolverines, Dartmouth Indians, and Alabama Crimson Tide as national champions in 1925.[8]
1926 – The1926 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 playStanford 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.[32] The 1926 Alabama football team was retrospectively selected national champion by Billingsley and theHelms Athletic Foundation.[7] The 2009 NCAA Record Book cites the Lafayette Leopards, Michigan Wolverines, Naval Academy Midshipmen,Stanford Cardinal, and Alabama Crimson Tide as national champions in 1926.[8]
1930 – The1930 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 playWashington 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.[32] The 1930 Alabama and Notre Dame teams were selected as "National Champion Foot Ball Teams" byParke H. Davis in 1934.[7][33]
1934 – The1934 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached byFrank Thomas, completed the regular season 9–0–0, winning theSoutheastern Conference championship. Alabama was then invited to playStanford 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 wasMillard "Dixie" Howell.[32] The 1934 Alabama football team was contemporaneously selected national champion under mathematical systems byDick Dunkel,Deke Houlgate, and the Williamson system.[7] The 2009 NCAA Record Book cites theMinnesota Golden Gophers and Alabama Crimson Tide as national champions in 1934.[8] 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.[34]
1941 – The1941 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Frank Thomas, completed the regular season 8–2–0. Alabama's squad finished third in the Southeastern Conference.[35] After losing toMississippi State 14-0 andVanderbilt,[32] 7–0, Alabama finished the regular season ranked No.20 in theAP poll, which was published onDecember 1, 1941, before the bowl games, which was customary during that time.[citation needed] The onset of World War II changed the college football postseason.[36] Alabama was one of ten teams chosen for post-season competition when they were invited to playTexas 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 BigTen rules. Alabama's outstanding players of the game wereHolt Rast,Don Whitmire, and Jimmy Nelson.[32] The squad was selected national champion under a mathematical system created byDeke Houlgate, who in later years published the nationally syndicatedFootball Thesaurus.[7] The 2009 NCAA Record Book cites theMinnesota Golden Gophers,Texas Longhorns, and Alabama Crimson Tide as national champions in 1941.[8]
1961 – The1961 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Bear Bryant, completed the regular season 10–0–0, winning the Southeastern Conference championship. Led by quarterbackPat Trammell, linebackerLee Roy Jordan and two–way linemanBilly Neighbors, Alabama outscored their opponents 297–25. Alabama was then invited to play the No. 9–rankedArkansas 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.[32] The 1961 Alabama football team was selected national champion by theAP Poll andCoaches Poll.[7]
1964 – The1964 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 quarterbackJoe Namath. Alabama was then invited to play theTexas Longhorns in theOrange Bowl on January 1, 1965. Coach Bryant's team lost to the Longhorns 21–17 to finish the season 10–1–0. The outstanding player of the game wasJoe Namath.[32] The 1964 Alabama football team was selected national champion by the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll prior to bowl games.[7] (The AP Poll waited until after the bowl games to select its champion for the 1965 season.)
1965 – The1965 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Bear Bryant, completed the regular season 8–1–1, winning the Southeastern Conference championship. The Tide lost toGeorgia and tiedTennessee during the regular season. Alabama was then invited to playNebraska 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 wasSteve Sloan.[32] The 1965 Alabama football team was selected national champion by the AP Poll.[7] The Coaches Poll selected Michigan State.
1973 – The1973 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.[7] (The Coaches Poll began selecting their champion after the bowl games starting in 1974.) The post-bowl game AP Poll ranked Alabama fourth, and selected Notre Dame as its national champion.[citation needed]
1978 – The1978 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Bear Bryant, completed the regular season 10–1–0, winning the Southeastern Conference championship. The Tide defeated No. 10–ranked Nebraska 20–3, and defeated No. 11–rankedMissouri 38–20, and lost to No. 7 rankedSouthern California 24–14, during the regular season.[37] The No. 2 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide was then invited to play the No. 1–rankedPenn 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 linebackerBarry Krauss.[32] Alabama was selected national champion by the AP Poll,[7] and Southern California was selected national champion by the Coaches Poll.[37]
1979 – The1979 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Bear Bryant, completed the regular season 11–0–0, winning the Southeastern Conference championship. The Tide defeated No. 18–ranked Tennessee 27–17, and defeated No. 14–ranked Auburn 25–18 during the regular season. Alabama was then invited to play No. 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.[32] The 1979 Alabama football team was selected national champion by the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll.[7]
1992 – The1992 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Gene Stallings, completed the regular season 11–0–0. They then defeated No. 12–rankedFlorida in theinaugural 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 No. 1–rankedMiami, led by Heisman Trophy winner Gino Torretta, in theBowl Coalition National Championship Game,1993 Sugar Bowl. Coach Stallings' team defeated the Hurricanes 34–13 to finish the season 13–0–0. The outstanding player of the game wasDerrick Lassic.[32] The 1992 Alabama football team was awarded the national championship by the AP Poll and the Coaches Poll.[7]
The Crimson Tide meeting with PresidentBarack Obama after winning the 2009 national championship
2009 – The2009 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached byNick Saban, finished with a 12–0 regular season. In the twelve wins, the Crimson Tide defeated four teams that were ranked at the time, including an opening day victory over No.7Virginia Tech in theChick-fil-A Kickoff Game. The team headed back to theGeorgia Dome in December to face off againstNo. 1 Florida in theSEC Championship Game. The Crimson Tide defeated the Gators 32–13 in a rematch of theprevious year's championship.[38] Alabama then traveled toPasadena to face No. 2 rankedTexas in the2010 BCS National Championship Game at theRose Bowl. Alabama's Heisman Trophy-winning running back,Mark Ingram II, rushed for 116yards and two touchdowns in a 37–21 win.[39] This was Alabama's first victory over Texas (1–7–1). Ingram was named the game's offensive MVP in Alabama's firstBCS 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 – The2011 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Nick Saban, completed the regular season 11–1. The only loss of the season was toLSU in overtime 9–6.[40] 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.[41] For their final regular season game, Alabama defeated rivalAuburn 42–14.[42] Alabama, led by Heisman trophy finalistTrent Richardson, then qualified to play No.1 ranked LSU in the2012 BCS National Championship Game.[41] Coach Saban's team defeated the Tigers 21–0 and finished the season 12–1.[43]Jeremy Shelley had a bowl record-tying five field goals in the game, and the game's offensive MVP wasA. J. McCarron, and the defensive MVP wasCourtney Upshaw.[43] With the win, Alabama became the first team to shutout its opponent in a BCS bowl game.[43] In addition to winning the BCS National Championship, the AP also awarded its national title to Alabama for the eighth time.[44]
2012 – The2012 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Nick Saban, completed the regular season 11–1. The only loss of the season was againstTexas A&M 29–24.[45] Despite the loss, Alabama won the SEC Western division and went to the2012 SEC Championship Game, where they defeatedGeorgia 32–28 for the 23rd conference championship in school history.[46] Alabama earned a No.2 ranking in the final BCS rankings for the second straight year and as a result qualified for the2013 BCS National Championship Game against No.1Notre Dame.[47] Alabama defeated the Fighting Irish 42–14, finished the season 13–1, and the game's offensive MVP wasEddie Lacy, and the defensive MVP wasC. J. Mosley.[48] Alabama became the third team in history to win three national championships in a four-year period. This was Alabama's ninth AP national championship and tenth wire-service championship.[48]
2015 – The2015 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Nick Saban, finished the regular season 11–1. Their only loss was toOle 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 defeatedFlorida 29–15 in theSEC Championship. Alabama returned to the playoffs for the second consecutive season. After falling short in the semifinals against Ohio State in 2014, Alabama defeated theMichigan State Spartans 38–0 in theCotton Bowl to advance to theChampionship Game. Alabama beat theClemson Tigers 45–40 and won the 2015 FBS national championship. Alabama's Heisman Trophy-winning running back Derrick Henry rushed for 158yards and three touchdowns. This victory gave Coach Nick Saban his fifth national title, including four in the last seven seasons.
2017 – The2017 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Nick Saban, finished the regular season 11–1. Their only loss was atAuburn 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 toClemson with a 24–6 win in theSugar Bowl. The Tide advanced to theChampionship game for the third year in a row. Alabama defeated SEC opponentGeorgia 26–23 in overtime. The victory gave Nick Saban his sixth national title, tying him withPaul W. Bryant for most all-time. It is also Alabama's fifth title in the last nine seasons.[49]
2020 – The2020 Alabama Crimson Tide football team, coached by Nick Saban, finished the regular season 10–0. The season was shortened to an all-conference schedule due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. The Tide won the SEC Western Division title and defeatedFlorida 52–46 in theSEC Championship. Alabama returned to the playoffs for the sixth time in seven seasons. They defeatedNotre Dame 31–14 in theRose Bowl. The Tide advanced to theChampionship game where they beatOhio State 52–24. Alabama's Heisman Trophy-winning wide receiverDeVonta Smith had 215 yards and 3 touchdowns. The victory gave Saban his seventh national title, passing Bear Bryant for most all-time. It is also Alabama's sixth title in twelve years.
Conference championships
Alabama has won a total of 34 conference championships; this includes four Southern Conference and 30 SEC Championships. Alabama captured its four Southern Conference titles in 1924, 1925, 1926, and 1930. Alabama captured the first SEC title in 1933 and has won a total of 30 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, 2020, 2021, 2023). The school has won more SEC football titles than any other school, including 11 since the conference split into separate divisions and added theChampionship Game in 1992. Alabama is the only school to win an SEC Championship in every decade since the conference was founded in 1933.
The SEC was split into two divisions beginning in the 1992 season. Alabama competed in the SEC West. Alabama won 18 division titles and posted an 11–4 record in theSEC Championship Game.
The most recent All-Americans from Alabama came after the2022 season, whenWill Anderson Jr. andBrian Branch were each named First Team All-America by various selectors.
On December 12, 2009,Mark Ingram II became Alabama's firstHeisman Trophywinner.[11] In the closest race ever, he edged outStanford running backToby Gerhart by 28 points.[11] Other notable finishes for an Alabama player occurred in 1993, whenDavid Palmer finished third in the Heisman voting[57][58] and whenA. J. McCarron finished as runner-up for the 2013 season.[59]Derrick Henry became Alabama's second Heisman trophy winner on December 12, 2015.[60]Tua Tagovailoa finished runner-up for the 2018 season as well. For the 2020 season, Alabama became the second program in college football history to have three players finish in the top five.DeVonta Smith became Alabama's third Heisman winner withMac Jones finishing third andNajee Harris fifth. In 2021,Bryce Young became the fourth winner withWill Anderson Jr. finishing fifth. With its fourth Heisman winner Alabama has produced the fifth most Heisman trophies of all time behind Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Ohio State and USC.[61]
Starting in 1994, the Southeastern Conference has annually honored one former football player from each of theSEC member schools as an "SEC Legend". The following former Crimson Tide football players have been honored as SEC Legends.
The main rivalry of the Crimson Tide is against its in-state rival, Auburn University; considered one of the top sporting rivalries in the US. The Alabama–Auburn game has come to be known as theIron Bowl.[62][63] 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 theSEC Championship Game.
On February 22, 1893, at Lakeview Park inBirmingham, 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.[64] 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.[65][66] In the following contest, Auburn shocked Alabama with a 14–13 victory, which is credited with helping revive the series.[67]
For many years, the contest was held atLegion Field in Birmingham, before the teams began alternating between Bryant-Denny Stadium, in Tuscaloosa, andJordan–Hare Stadium, inAuburn. Alabama won the most recent meeting 28–14 in Tuscaloosa and leads the series at 51–37–1.[68]
Alabama on offense versus Tennessee in Tuscaloosa during the2009 season
Despite the heated in-state rivalry with Auburn, Bear Bryant was more adamant about defeating his rivals to the north, theTennessee Volunteers.[69] The series is named theThird 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 and 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 asRobert Neyland began challenging Alabama for their perennial spot on top of the conference standings.[70] 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.[71]
Between 1971 and 1981, Alabama held an 11-game winning streak over the Volunteers and, between 1986 and 1994, a nine-game unbeaten streak. However, following Alabama's streak, Tennessee responded with a seven-game winning streak from 1995 to 2001. Alabama holds the longest winning streak at 15 from 2007 to 2021. Alabama won the most recent meeting 37–20 in Tuscaloosa and leads the series 60–40–7.[72]
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.[73] The teams did not regularly meet until the mid-1960s during Alabama's dominance of the SEC. Between 1971 and 1981, the Crimson Tide won 11 consecutive times. In the 1969 game, LSU defeated Alabama 20–15 inBaton Rouge. Alabama did not lose again in Baton Rouge until 2000.
In 2007, the meeting was more heated following Alabama's hiring of head coachNick Saban, who previously coached at LSU. With the hiring, many media outlets dubbed the 2007 meeting as the "Saban Bowl".[74][75][76] 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 20–9 in Tuscaloosa and leads the series 58–27–5.[77]
Alabama's most-played rival isMississippi State. The rivalry has been called the "Battle for Highway 82", with the schools being only 90 miles apart. Many cite the 2014 meeting as the biggest game in the series where Alabama faced a #1 ranked, 9–0 Mississippi State team withDak Prescott as its quarterback. Alabama won 25–20, which helped catapult them into the first College Football Playoff. Alabama won the most recent meeting 40–17 in Starkville and leads the series 86–18–3.[79]
The series dates back to 1900 but the rivalry has intensified in recent years, with the last four meetings having national championship implications.[80] Alabama leads the series 14–5.[81]
Alabama has a rivalry with theFlorida Gators, which was largely developed with the start of theSEC Championship Game.[82] Alabama and Florida have met in 10 SEC Title Games (Alabama leads 6–4 in Title games), including the first 3 from 1992 to 1994. Alabama won the most recent meeting 31–29 in Gainesville, and leads the entire series 27–14.[83]
Alabama has a rivalry with theGeorgia Bulldogs. Alabama won the most recent meeting 24–21 in Athens and leads the series 45–26–4.[84]
Former rivalries
TheGeorgia Tech Yellow Jackets were at one time considered Alabama's arch rival.[citation needed] 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 coachBobby Dodd following a controversial hit in the1961 game, a 10–0 Alabama victory.[85] Dodd cited this feud as the primary impetus for Georgia Tech leaving the SEC three years later.[86] 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 in1984. Alabama's fight song, "Yea Alabama", mentions Georgia Tech with the line "Send the Yellow Jackets to a watery grave."[87]
There have been many historic games betweenAlabama and Penn State. The two teams met five times during the tenure of Bear Bryant, including in the1979 Sugar Bowl, which determined the national championship for the 1978 season. The games usually have national implications—seven of the 15 meetings between the two schools have featured both teams ranked in the top ten—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 coachJoe Paterno. Alabama leads the series 10–5.
All-time record vs. current SEC teams
Official record (including anyNCAA imposed vacates and forfeits) against all current SEC opponents as of the completion of the 2024 season.[88]
This is a partial list of the ten most recent bowl seasons in which Alabama competed. Alabama has an overall bowl record of 46–29–3 (78 games) through the 2024 season.[89][90]
During the football season, theCrimson Tide Sports Network (CTSN) broadcasts multiple shows on gameday for most sports. The network includes more than 60 radio stations across the country. Radio stationsWFFN-FM,WTSK-AM as a backup, broadcast all home games in the Tuscaloosa area.[93]
Football radio broadcasts begin three hours prior to the game's designated kickoff time with Chris Stewart and Tyler Watts inAround the SEC.[94] The radio broadcast then moves to theCrimson Tide Tailgate Party hosted by Tom Roberts.[94] Immediately following the end of the game, theFifth Quarter Show begins as host Eli Gold talks to coaches and players and gives game statistics.[94] For the 2008 season, former Alabama players and personalities were brought on to provide guest commentary for each broadcast.[95]
Eli Gold did play-by-play work for Alabama football from 1988 to 2023.
From 1992 to 2023, Alabama played in the West Division of the SEC and played each opponent in the division each year along with several teams from the East Division. The SEC will expand the conference to 16 teams and will eliminate its two divisions in 2024, causing a new scheduling format for the Crimson Tide to play against the other members of the conference.[100] Only the 2024 conference schedule was announced on June 14, 2023, while the conference still considers a new format for the future.[101]
^ Written at New York."Award for top team delayed".The Times-News. Twin Falls, Idaho. United Press International. December 7, 1971. RetrievedMarch 8, 2023 – via Newspapers.com....it was decided not to award a championship by ballot but rather to let these teams meet on the field and play for the MacArthur Bowl.
^ Written at New York."Title at Stake in Sugar Bowl".The Kansas City Times. Kansas City, Missouri. Associated Press. December 3, 1973. RetrievedMarch 8, 2023."A championship can only truly be settled on the playing field." Richard Kazmaier, chairman of the awards committee, said in announcing that this year the committee would not vote for the MacArthur Bowl winner.
^The University of Alabama (August 15, 2012)."2012 Football Record Book"(PDF).rolltide.com. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on July 17, 2013. RetrievedOctober 30, 2012.
^Low, Chris (March 6, 2024)."How Alabama moved from Nick Saban to Kalen DeBoer in 49 hours".ESPN. RetrievedMarch 7, 2024.Through conversations with the principals involved and other industry sources, ESPN retraced that head-spinning week, which ushered in a new era of Alabama football and, in some ways, reshaped the landscape of the entire sport.
^2020 NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision Records(PDF). Indianapolis: The National Collegiate Athletic Association. July 2020.Archived(PDF) from the original on November 1, 2020. RetrievedJanuary 12, 2021. documents these individual selectors as Richard Billingsley, William Boand, Parke Davis, Dick Dunkel, Deke Houlgate, Bill Schroeder, and Paul Williamson. Only the selections of Dunkel, Houlgate, and Williamson were contemporaneous.
^Jenkins, Dan (September 11, 1967),"This Year The Fight Will Be in the Open",Sports Illustrated, vol. 27, no. 11, Chicago, IL: Time Inc., p. 33, retrievedMarch 16, 2016,In 1948, the Helms Athletic Foundation decided to name a national champion … and name past champions. The director of Helms since its beginning, Bill Schroeder, did the work, and he now heads the committee that selects No. 1 after the bowl games. 'A committee of one – me,' he says.
^"Alabama Put on Probation College football: NCAA sanctions program for three years. The team is banned from postseason play next season".Los Angeles Times. August 3, 1995.
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Sharpe, Wilton (2007).Crimson Tide Madness: Great Eras in Alabama Football. Cumberland House Publishing.ISBN978-1-58182-580-0.
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.
