Alabama football is likely in a win and you are in situation with its 2026 College Football Playoff hopes alive.
However, since the Crimson Tide is not an undefeated team, their resume will play a role in whether the Tide makes it into the playoff and what seed they would be if they do get in. With that considered, who are the top teams Alabama should root against and for?
Here is a look at three of each:
For
Kentucky
Alabama defeated Kentucky 45-17 in Lexington, and it is the only blemish on the Wildcats’ record so far. The win is the Crimson Tide’s best of the season and the strongest element of their resume. The stronger the Wildcats finish the season likely will benefit Alabama. The only week it may be best for the Tide to root against Kentucky is when they play Georgia.
Georgia
The Bulldogs beat Alabama at home earlier this year. With a loss to Auburn after beating the Tide, another loss for the Bulldogs would not be a favorable look for the Tide. A strong finish for the Bulldogs has a strong chance to be a good thing for Alabama.
Mississippi State
Mississippi State is not in a position to make a lot of noise, with Kamrio Tayler set to miss the rest of the season. However, if the Bulldogs could cook up some magic and pull off a couple of highly unlikely upsets over Texas and Ole Miss, they would knock two teams Alabama could have been compared to, to three losses and make Alabama’s road win over the Bulldogs look really good.
Against
Texas
Alabama likely does not want to be in a position where it is on the edge of the playoff, and it has to be compared to Texas. The Longhorns beat Tennessee, whom the Tide lost to, and Texas has a massive win over Ohio State on its resume. Another loss for Texas could make the Tide and Texas incomparable.
Tennessee
Tennessee has a head-to-head advantage over Alabama, and the Vols have an opportunity to strengthen their resume down the stretch with games against Kentucky and LSU still on their schedule. The Vols and Alabama both have two losses to their name. If the College Football Playoff committee chooses to pit them against one another, Tennessee will get the nod.
Ole Miss
Ole Miss’ biggest remaining game is against Georgia, whom the Tide lost to. A Bulldogs win would benefit Alabama, as stated earlier, and a loss would help make Alabama and the Rebels incomparable. However, an Ole Miss win could put the Rebels in position to jump Alabama with a huge win over a common opponent the Tide lost to at home.
