Can the Alabama Crimson Tide Run the Table?

The Alabama Crimson Tide were handed their first loss of the season last weekend, falling to the Georgia Bulldogs by a score of 20-17 at home.

There is no shame in losing to Georgia, which is now the No. 1-ranked team in the country. But it obviously does reduce Alabama's margin for error significantly.

The Crimson Tide have six games remaining on their schedule, starting with Tennessee on Saturday afternoon. It's a tough road matchup for Alabama, and based solely on rankings, it's the most difficult game remaining on 'Bama's schedule (the Volunteers are No. 14).

Otherwise, the Tide have just one more ranked opponent on the slate: LSU on Nov. 7.

As luck would have it, both of those games are on the road, but seeing as how vulnerable LSU has looked in recent weeks, the matchup in Baton Rouge is one Alabama should win.

And if we're being perfectly honest, the Crimson Tide should beat the Vols in Knoxville. It won't be easy, but Alabama is the superior squad.

The combined records of the Crimson Tide's other four opponents is 13-11, and one of those teams is Chattanooga, which Alabama will face on Nov. 21.

There is a very realistic chance for Alabama to run the table and finish the campaign 11-1, which would not only guarantee the Tide a spot in the College Football Playoff, but would also likely allow them to finish in the top five of the AP Poll.

Currently, Alabama is ranked No. 6. It did not move in spite of its loss to Georgia, so you would imagine that going on a 6-0 tear to complete the season would do a lot of good for the Crimson Tide's standing.

It would also represent a major feather in the cap of Kalen DeBoer, who has steadily been improving as Alabama's head coach and is even starting to slightly resemble Nick Saban in some ways.

Back in 2023, Saban's final season in Tuscaloosa, Alabama fell to Texas in Week 2. The Crimson Tide then reeled off 11 consecutive wins before ultimately losing to Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

Can Alabama embark on another similar run in 2026? Based on the simplicity of the schedule and just how talented the Tide look, it's entirely within reason.

Of course, it starts Saturday afternoon against a physical Tennessee ballclub. We'll see if Alabama can get the ball rolling with a victory.