If you’re refreshing your feed looking for the Alabama game today who won, you’re probably looking at a scoreboard that feels a little light on the football side. That’s because the gridiron dust has finally settled on one of the most polarizing seasons in Tuscaloosa history. As of Thursday, January 15, 2026, the Alabama men’s football team is officially in the offseason, still reeling from a Rose Bowl result that nobody—and I mean nobody—saw coming.
But don’t put the jersey away just yet. While the football team is busy navigating the transfer portal, the Alabama women’s basketball team is currently the main event. They are on the road tonight, battling the Auburn Tigers in a high-stakes Iron Bowl on the hardwood.
The Shocking Reality of the 2026 Rose Bowl
Let’s be real for a second. If you had told an Alabama fan three years ago that the Crimson Tide would get "clobbered" in the College Football Playoff by Indiana, they would’ve laughed you out of the stadium.
Yet, on New Year’s Day 2026, that’s exactly what happened.
The final score was Indiana 38, Alabama 3. It wasn't just a loss; it was a total system failure. The Hoosiers, led by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, looked like the Alabama of old, while Kalen DeBoer’s squad struggled to find any rhythm. Ty Simpson, who has shown so much heart and loyalty to the program, was eventually benched during the game as the offense completely stalled.
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This game was historic for all the wrong reasons. It was the first time since 1998 that Bama trailed by 35 or more points in a game. For a fan base that views a two-loss season as a national tragedy, this 10-4 finish feels like a tectonic shift in the college football landscape.
What happened on the field?
- Total Offense: Bama was held to just 193 total yards.
- Rushing: The Tide managed a measly 23 yards on the ground.
- The Only Points: A 28-yard field goal by Conor Talty late in the third quarter.
Basketball Takes Center Stage in Tuscaloosa
With football season in the rearview, Nate Oats has the men’s team humming, even with some recent speed bumps. They just came off a gritty 97-82 win over Mississippi State this past Tuesday. Labaron Philon Jr. went absolutely nuclear in that game, dropping a career-high 32 points and proving why he’s one of the most electric guards in the SEC right now.
However, if you are looking for the Alabama game today who won, you have to look at the women’s side of the bracket.
Tonight, January 15, the Alabama women are in Auburn at the Neville Arena. As of this evening, the game is in progress, and it is a defensive struggle. Auburn holds a narrow 36-33 lead in what is turning out to be a classic, low-scoring SEC slugfest. These mid-January conference games are basically where the tournament resumes are built, and losing to your cross-state rival is never an option for Bama.
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Why Everyone is Obsessed With the Transfer Portal Right Now
The question of "who won" isn't just about the scoreboard anymore. In 2026, winning happens in the portal. Following that Rose Bowl disaster, the Alabama football roster is seeing some significant movement.
We’ve seen Jordan Renaud and Keon Keeley depart, which has some fans hitting the panic button regarding the "Bandit" position and overall defensive depth. But it’s not all doom and gloom. The return of Keon Sabb and Yonsei Pierre provides a much-needed veteran presence for a defense that looked shell-shocked in Pasadena.
Honestly, the "win" for Alabama today might just be keeping the rest of the roster intact. In the NIL era, loyalty is the rarest currency. People are talking about Ty Simpson’s decision to stay despite the benching and the lure of big money elsewhere. It’s refreshing, kinda, to see a kid stay put when the trend is to jump ship the moment things get difficult.
Looking Ahead: The Schedule
If you're planning your weekends for the rest of the month, here is what the calendar looks like for the Tide.
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The men’s basketball team heads to Norman this Saturday, January 17, to take on Oklahoma. That’s a noon tip-off, so get your coffee ready. After that, they’ve got a massive home game against Tennessee on January 24. That one is going to be loud.
On the football side, the 2026 schedule is already out. We’re looking at an opener against East Carolina on September 5. But the dates everyone has circled are October 10 against Georgia and November 28 for the Iron Bowl.
Actionable Insights for Bama Fans
- Watch the Portals: Keep an eye on the 247Sports Transfer Portal tracker. The next two weeks will determine the floor for the 2026 football season.
- Support the Hardwood: Nate Oats has this team playing a style that is arguably more fun to watch than the current football product. Catch the Oklahoma game on Saturday to see if Philon Jr. can keep his scoring streak alive.
- Don't Panic on DeBoer: One bad bowl game doesn't erase a 10-win season. The transition from the Saban era was always going to have a "Rose Bowl vs. Indiana" type of moment. It’s about the response, not the event.
The 2026 season is proving to be a year of transition. Whether it's the women fighting for an SEC road win tonight or the men's team trying to climb back into the Top 10, the Crimson Tide remains the most talked-about brand in sports for a reason.