Alabama football fans aren't exactly used to the feeling that settled over the program this January. If you are looking for what's the score on the Alabama football game, the answer isn't a live ticker anymore—it's a finality that still feels a bit surreal for the Tuscaloosa faithful.
The Crimson Tide’s 2025-26 season ended on New Year's Day in a way nobody predicted. They didn't just lose; they were physically handled. The final score was Indiana 38, Alabama 3. Yes, you read that right. The top-seeded Indiana Hoosiers, led by Curt Cignetti, dismantled the Tide in the Rose Bowl CFP Quarterfinal. It was the lowest point total for an Alabama team in the modern era, leaving fans asking how a roster this talented could muster only a single field goal on the biggest stage.
Breaking down the Rose Bowl disaster
Honestly, it was a mismatch from the opening kickoff. Alabama's offense, which had looked explosive at times during the regular season, completely stalled out in Pasadena. They managed a meager 193 total yards. To put that in perspective, Indiana nearly doubled that with 407 yards of their own.
- Quarter 1: A scoreless defensive struggle that gave Tide fans a false sense of security.
- Quarter 2: The wheels came off. Indiana dropped 17 points, including two touchdown passes from Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza.
- The Second Half: Alabama's lone score came from a 28-yard Conor Talty field goal in the third. After that? Two more Indiana touchdowns to put the game on ice.
Ty Simpson and the offense just couldn't find a rhythm. Indiana’s defensive front lived in the Alabama backfield, racking up three sacks and making every third-down attempt feel like a mountain climb. Alabama went 3-of-11 on third downs. You aren't winning many playoff games with that kind of efficiency.
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What’s the score on the Alabama football game right now?
If you're checking for a game happening today, January 18, 2026, the football pads are put away. The National Championship is scheduled for tomorrow night in Miami, but the Tide will be watching from home. It’s Indiana and Miami facing off for the title.
However, if you're a multi-sport fan, the "score" for Alabama today actually comes from the hardwood. The Alabama women's basketball team just played a high-stakes SEC matchup against Tennessee. In a bit of a heartbreaker for the home crowd at Foster Auditorium, the Lady Vols snapped Alabama's 18-game home winning streak.
The final score for that one was Tennessee 70, Alabama 59.
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It’s been a tough 24 hours for the athletic department. Sarah Ashlee Barker and the crew fought hard, leading 17-14 after the first quarter, but Tennessee’s depth eventually wore them down. Watching the Lady Vols pull away in the second half felt oddly reminiscent of the Rose Bowl—a few missed assignments and a cold shooting stretch that proved impossible to overcome.
Looking ahead to the 2026 schedule
For the football program, the focus has already shifted to redemption. Coach Kalen DeBoer is facing his first real "offseason of discontent" in Tuscaloosa. Recruiting is still humming, but the transfer portal remains a wild card.
The 2026 schedule is already set, and it’s a gauntlet. If you want to know when you can stop asking about the score and start watching again, mark September 5, 2026, on your calendar. Alabama opens at home against East Carolina.
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A few weeks later, the schedule gets spicy:
- September 19: Florida State comes to Bryant-Denny.
- October 10: A massive home game against Georgia.
- October 17: The Third Saturday in October on the road at Tennessee.
Why the Rose Bowl loss matters for the future
Losing 38-3 isn't just a "bad day." It’s a systemic shock. For years, Alabama was the team that did the bullying. Seeing the Hoosiers—a program that was a perennial basement dweller not long ago—out-physical the Tide at the line of scrimmage suggests the gap in college football has officially closed.
The "score" isn't just about points; it's about the standard. DeBoer has to figure out if the current defensive scheme can handle the high-tempo, pro-style looks that Indiana and the new-look Big Ten are bringing to the playoffs.
If you are a fan, the next few months will be about watching the spring game and seeing how the roster reshapes itself. The 2025 season was a success by most standards—11 wins and a playoff berth—but at Alabama, the only score that really matters is the one in the final game of the year. Right now, that score is a reminder that there is plenty of work to do.
Actionable Next Steps for Tide Fans:
- Monitor the Transfer Portal: The spring window will be crucial for adding depth to the defensive line.
- Watch the National Championship: Tomorrow's Indiana vs. Miami game will show exactly what the "gold standard" looks like for 2026.
- Check Women's Hoops: The team is still 17-3 despite the loss to Tennessee; they remain a lock for a high seed in the NCAA Tournament.