So, you’re looking for the Alabama game Saturday time. It’s a habit, right? Checking the clock, making sure the wings are ready, and figuring out if the Tide is on ESPN or ABC. But if you’re looking for a kickoff today, Saturday, January 17, 2026, there is some bad news to get out of the way first.
There is no game.
Alabama’s season actually came to a screeching halt a couple of weeks ago. It's kinda weird to have a January Saturday without them, especially with the expanded playoff, but that's where we are. After a wild run through the 2025 season and a massive win in the first round of the College Football Playoff, the Tide hit a wall in Pasadena.
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What Happened to the Alabama Game Saturday Time?
The search for the Alabama game Saturday time usually leads to a packed schedule, but the Crimson Tide were eliminated from the College Football Playoff on New Year's Day. They traveled to the Rose Bowl to take on the top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers—who, honestly, have been the story of the year—and it didn't go well. Alabama lost 38-3.
It was a tough pill to swallow for Kalen DeBoer's squad. After beating Oklahoma 34-24 in the first round on December 19, there was a lot of momentum. People were whispering about another national title run. But the Rose Bowl was a different beast. Because of that loss, the Tide’s locker room is empty today while other teams prepare for the National Championship on Monday.
The "game time" everyone is looking for today actually belongs to the NFL. It’s Divisional Round weekend. If you’re seeing football on your TV today, you’re likely looking at the San Francisco 49ers or the Seattle Seahawks rather than anyone in crimson and white.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Schedule
Since there’s no game today, most fans are already pivoting to September. We actually have the full 2026 slate already, and it looks a bit different than what we’re used to. The SEC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule. Basically, that means fewer "cupcake" games and more high-stakes matchups.
Here is what the start of the 2026 season looks like for the Tide:
- September 5: East Carolina (Home opener in Tuscaloosa)
- September 12: at Kentucky (The earliest SEC road game since 2007)
- September 19: Florida State (A massive non-conference rematch)
- September 26: South Carolina
Notice that September 12 game. It's a trip to Lexington. Usually, Alabama spends September beating up on mid-majors to find their rhythm, but DeBoer is taking them straight into the SEC fire in Week 2.
The National Championship Reality
While Alabama fans are sitting this Saturday out, the rest of the college football world is focused on Miami. The National Championship is set for Monday, January 19, 2026. It’ll be the Indiana Hoosiers taking on the Miami Hurricanes.
It feels sort of surreal to say that. No Alabama. No Georgia. No Ohio State. Just a 1-seed Indiana and a 10-seed Miami playing at Hard Rock Stadium. If you were hoping to see Bama today, you’ll have to settle for watching the Media Day clips from Miami or catching up on the NFL playoffs.
Why the Tide Fell Short
A lot of experts, like those over at 247Sports and SEC Network, have been dissecting that Rose Bowl loss for two weeks. The reality? The offense just stalled. Ty Simpson and Jam Miller couldn't find the gaps against an Indiana defense that has looked impenetrable all season.
It wasn't just one thing. It was a combination of a brutal travel schedule and the sheer physicality of the Big Ten champions. Alabama finished the season 11-4. For most programs, that’s a dream. In Tuscaloosa? It’s a reason to start spring practice a week early.
The lack of an Alabama game Saturday time today is a reminder of how high the bar is. When you aren't playing in mid-January, it feels like a missed opportunity.
Actionable Steps for Bama Fans Today
Since you can't watch the Tide play today, here is how you can stay plugged in during the "offseason":
Check the Transfer Portal: With the season officially over, the portal is wide open. Keep an eye on the defensive line depth; that’s where the Tide is expected to be most active this week.
National Championship Scouting: Watch the Indiana vs. Miami game on Monday night (7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN). Indiana is a future benchmark for how DeBoer wants this offense to click, and Miami’s resurgence is something Bama will likely have to deal with in future playoffs.
2026 Ticket Waitlist: If you’re planning on being at Bryant-Denny for the opener against East Carolina on September 5, the TIDE PRIDE waitlist is already seeing record numbers.
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Review the NFL Draft Declarations: We are just days away from the deadline for underclassmen to declare. Keep an eye on the official Alabama football social channels to see which starters are heading to the pros and who is coming back for one more run in 2026.