If you're asking who won Alabama football game yesterday, you might be looking at the wrong calendar, or maybe you're just feeling that post-season itch. It's January 18, 2026. Yesterday was Saturday. And honestly? There wasn't an Alabama football game. The pads are in storage. The cleats are cleaned off. The Crimson Tide’s 2025-26 campaign hit a brutal, screeching halt a few weeks back in Pasadena.
Now, if you saw a headline about Bama winning yesterday, you were almost certainly looking at the hardwood, not the gridiron. Nate Oats and the No. 18 Alabama basketball team pulled off a gritty 83-81 win over Oklahoma in Norman yesterday. It was a classic "road rescue mission" where Labaron Philon went off for 23 points. But football? That story ended on New Year's Day.
What Really Happened With Alabama Football This Month
The last time the Crimson Tide suited up for a football game was January 1, 2026. It was the Rose Bowl. It was supposed to be a classic. Instead, it was a nightmare for the travelers from Tuscaloosa. Alabama didn't just lose; they got dismantled by No. 1 seed Indiana, 38-3.
Seeing Bama score only three points in a playoff game felt like a glitch in the Matrix.
Kalen DeBoer’s second year ended in the same stadium where Nick Saban’s era wrapped up, but the vibes were totally different. Indiana, led by Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, looked like the powerhouse Bama used to be. They outgained the Tide 407 to 193. It was physical. It was loud. It was, frankly, a bit embarrassing for a program that measures success in gold trophies.
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The Current State of the Crimson Tide
Since that Rose Bowl exit, the "game" has moved to the transfer portal and the recruiting trail. That's where the real wins and losses are happening right now. While fans are asking who won Alabama football game yesterday, the coaching staff is busy trying to figure out how to fix a rushing attack that managed only 23 yards against the Hoosiers.
- The Roster Shuffle: Jan. 2 to Jan. 16 was the critical window for graduate transfers. We've seen a few departures as guys look for more playing time after the playoff disappointment.
- Coaching Stability: DeBoer is under the microscope now. Winning 11 games and making the CFP quarterfinals is a dream for most programs, but Bama isn't most programs.
- The 2026 Outlook: The schedule is already out. It’s a gauntlet. We’re talking 12 regular-season games, nine of them in the SEC.
Basically, the "game" yesterday was played in meeting rooms and over phone calls with five-star recruits.
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Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
If you’re already counting down the days until the Tide actually plays football again, mark September 5, 2026, on your calendar. That’s the season opener against East Carolina at Bryant-Denny Stadium. It’s a far cry from the Rose Bowl, but it’s the first step toward erasing the memory of that 38-3 loss.
The 2026 season is going to be weird. The SEC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule. No more "cupcake" November games—well, except for Chattanooga on the 21st. Bama has to travel to LSU, Tennessee, and Kentucky. They host Georgia and Auburn. It's the kind of schedule that makes or breaks a coach's legacy.
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Actionable Steps for Bama Fans Right Now
Stop looking for yesterday's score and start prepping for the spring. Here is what you actually need to do to stay in the loop:
- Follow the Basketball Team: Nate Oats has this squad humming. If you need a Crimson Tide fix, the win over Oklahoma yesterday proves this team is a legit contender in the SEC.
- Watch the Portal: The next few weeks are vital for "roster construction." Keep an eye on the defensive line depth; that’s where Indiana exposed the Tide.
- Check the 2026 Schedule: Plan your trips now. The October 10 game against Georgia in Tuscaloosa is already the most anticipated ticket of the year.
- Spring Game: Look for the A-Day announcement. Usually held in mid-April, it'll be the first look at the "New Bama" trying to move past the Indiana blowout.
The football team didn't play yesterday, but the program never sleeps. The road back to the top starts with fixing the issues that showed up in Pasadena. For now, enjoy the basketball wins and get ready for a long, busy offseason in T-Town.