“We’ve got to choose the best one when we really know,” the head coach said on Josh Pate’s College Football Show. “I think that’s going to be something that drags on to the fall. We’ll see. We declared Ty the starter a little bit earlier than I would’ve anticipated a year ago.“

DeBoer also praised the work done so far by Austin Mack and Keelon Russell: “The offense, in particular, with so many new linemen and a couple other guys and the backfield that needs some guys to step up, I really appreciate what Austin and Keelon are doing in their leadership role. At some point, there’s going to be a hard time for one of them, when we do decide and move forward with a starter.”

Who will be QB1 in Tuscaloosa?

Keelon Russell is currently seen by many analysts as the favorite to win the job following a redshirt freshman year where he showed elite efficiency, completing 73.3% of his passes and throwing 2 touchdowns in limited backup action. However, he faces stiff competition from Austin Mack, a redshirt junior who has spent three years in DeBoer’s system and served as the primary backup last season, recording 228 passing yards and 2 scores in four appearances.

While Russell offers higher physical upside and “future of the program” status, Mack’s extensive experience with the coaching staff makes this a tight race that will likely be decided late in August.

A tough schedule ahead

Alabama will kick off the 2026 season with a challenging stretch that balances high-profile non-conference matchups and early SEC tests. The Crimson Tide opens at home against East Carolina on September 5, followed by their first road trip to face Kentucky in Lexington on September 12.

Returning to Tuscaloosa, Alabama will host a massive showdown against Florida State on September 19 before welcoming South Carolina for an SEC clash on September 26. The opening month concludes on October 3, when the team travels to Starkville to take on Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium.

“I just don’t know how you could live with yourself and look into your players’ eyes if you’re looking at other opportunities in the midst of the season and getting ready for a playoff game and hopefully making a run at a national championship,” DeBoer said via on3.com.

“…I mean, this is Alabama. I’m at an amazing place. That’s the way I was looking at it. I chose to be here. I love the support and love our players and love the direction and everything the staff has done to put the pieces together here over the last two years. A lot of heavy lifting’s been done to get us to this point.”

The coach knows he is exactly where he wants to be: “…we’re right here where we want to be, and I plan on being here for a while.”

Rumors that didn’t materialize

Despite intense rumors linking Kalen DeBoer to high-profile openings at Michigan and Penn State, both programs ultimately went in different directions. Michigan aggressively pursued DeBoer but eventually hired former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham in December 2025 to replace Sherrone Moore.

Similarly, while Penn State considered DeBoer as a top candidate, they finalized a deal with former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell to lead the Nittany Lions.

Simpson’s replacement

Following Ty Simpson’s departure to the NFL, the battle for the starting quarterback spot at Alabama for the 2026 season centers on two distinct talents. Austin Mack, a 6’6″ redshirt junior with deep knowledge of Kalen DeBoer’s system, holds the edge in experience and veteran leadership.

However, five-star prospect Keelon Russell is a serious contender, with his elite accuracy and mobility making him a fan favorite to potentially secure the job before the regular season kicks off.

Alabama Crimson Tide season kickoff

• vs East Carolina, September 5th
• at Kentucky, September 12th
• vs Florida State, September 19th
• at Mississippi State, October 3rd
• vs Georgia, October 10th

As the No. 1 seed, Michigan enters with heavy expectations, but Alabama’s explosive offense adds a dangerous layer to the matchup. Crimson Tide has looked dominant so far, including a convincing win in the Round of 32.

With both teams peaking at the right time, this game becomes more than just another step in the bracket. It’s a defining moment—one where Michigan can continue its title push or Alabama can disrupt the path.

What happens if Michigan beat Alabama today?

If Michigan beats Alabama today, they will advance to the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The win would keep their title run alive and move them one step closer to the Final Four, reinforcing their status as one of the top contenders.

Dusty May’s team enters this matchup as a No. 1 seed and one of the most complete teams in the tournament, coming off a dominant 95-72 win over Saint Louis in the previous round.

That performance highlighted their offensive depth and efficiency, with multiple players contributing at a high level. Advancing to the Elite Eight would set up a regional final against another top opponent.

What happens if Michigan and Alabama tie?

Michigan vs. Alabama cannot end in a tie in March Madness. If the game is level at the end of regulation, teams will play five-minute overtime periods until a winner is determined.

This format ensures that every game—especially in elimination rounds like the Sweet 16—has a definitive outcome. There is no limit to the number of overtimes, meaning games can extend as long as needed.

What happens if Michigan lose to Alabama today?

If Michigan loses to Alabama today, they will be eliminated from the 2026 NCAA Tournament. A defeat would end their March Madness run in the Sweet 16, while Alabama would advance to the Elite Eight.

However, Simpson is not about that life. He is Crimson Tide for life. “There is no doubt in my mind that the last jersey I wanted to wear in college was the Alabama Crimson Tide jersey,” Simpson said to ESPN.com. “I came there. I stayed there.”

Hence, Simpson is content with going to the draft, where he is a highly-touted prospect at the QB position. And Simpson really felt that Alabama jersey, as he received, reportedly, up to $6.5 million from one school. Miami, Oregon, and Tennessee were interested in Simpson’s play.

Simpson could be a high draft pick

Many analysts put Ty Simpson as a top 15 draft pick, so the $6.5 million NIL money he was offered won’t be missed. A first-round QB will earn plenty more. Simpson is one of the most polarizing figures in terms of potential.

Simpson is viewed as high-end prospect but with plenty of development needed. However, he excels at throwing in tight windows and has great pocket awareness. While he is a pocket passer, he also has a surprisingly fast acceleration.

Who will be the next Alabama QB?

Austin Mack is poised to start for the Crimson Tide in 2026. Mack had some snaps this past year after Simpson suffered a rib injury. He completed 75% of his passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns.

If Mack isn’t the one, then it’s likely going to be Keelon Russell. Russell had only 15 pass attempts and completed 11 of them. He racked up 143 yards and two touchdowns. Mack has had more snaps, but Russell has some raw talent that might be worth exploring.

An undefeated run is never just about wins. It reflects dominance, resilience and timing, often shaped by defining moments that separate great teams from those remembered only for what went wrong along the way.

While championships often steal the spotlight, perfect regular seasons tell a quieter story of control and endurance. Those rare campaigns continue to stand as benchmarks in a sport built on chaos and tradition.

Which NCAAF teams had undefeated regular seasons?

Going unbeaten in the regular season is one of college football’s rarest achievements. With 136 teams competing in the FBS each year, the stars must align for a perfect slate of wins. Historically, schools like Michigan, Georgia and Alabama have reached these heights, often en route to national titles.

Some of the most storied perfect seasons belong to programs with rich traditions. Michigan’s 15-0 run in 2023 stands among the most recent examples of a team navigating a full slate without a loss, a feat first recognized in polls dating back to 1936. Over the decades, programs such as Nebraska, Notre Dame and Ohio State have also posted undefeated records.

Beyond perennial powerhouses, there are memorable outliers in NCAAF history. The 1998 Tulane Green Wave went 12-0, one of the few non-Power Five teams to post a perfect season, while Boise State’s 13-0 regular season in 2009 reflected a dominant era for the Broncos in the WAC. Each of these campaigns underscores the difficulty and prestige of finishing the regular season without a single loss.

If Indiana loses to Alabama in the Rose Bowl, their 2026 CFP championship hopes would end immediately. There are no second chances, although they would still finish the season with an impressive 13-1 record, capped by a loss in a major bowl game.

What everyone around the Hoosiers wants is a win over Alabama. If Indiana pulls it off, they would advance directly to the 2026 CFP semifinals, where they would face the winner of the Texas Tech vs. Oregon matchup, which is also being played as a quarterfinal in the Orange Bowl.

Has Indiana ever played Alabama before?

No, never. The two programs have never faced each other in a bowl game or any other matchup. This game will be historic for several reasons, not only because it is the first meeting between the two, but also because Indiana has never before completed a 13-0 regular season like the one that earned them a spot in the 2026 CFP quarterfinals.

Alabama enters the Rose Bowl with an 11-3 record after winning its first-round game against Oklahoma. That could give Indiana a slight edge, as the Hoosiers have been resting since December 6. Adding to the storyline, Fernando Mendoza is the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and is coming off a season with 2,980 passing yards and 33 touchdowns.

Nick Saban on Alabama vs. Indiana: “The amazing thing about this is how much respect we have for Indiana internally. But I go play with my golfing buddies in Alabama, and they’re all on the first tee saying, ‘we should kick the shit out of Indiana.’”

[Watch Alabama vs Indiana online in the US on Fubo]

Indiana’s magical run reaches new heights in Pasadena, with the Hoosiers arriving as the nation’s No. 1 team for the first time after a Big Ten Championship win over Ohio State secured their first league title since 1967 and vaulted them atop the CFP and AP rankings.

That breakthrough sets up a marquee Rose Bowl showdown with Alabama, college football’s modern benchmark making its ninth trip to the Granddaddy of Them All. Led by Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza, Indiana’s rise now collides with a dynasty in a must-watch clash on the sport’s biggest stage.

When will the Alabama vs Indiana match be played?

Alabama clash with Indiana in the 2026 Rose Bowl Game this Thursday, January 1, with kickoff scheduled for 4:00 PM (ET).

Alabama vs Indiana: Time by State in the USA

ET: 4:00 PM
CT: 3:00 PM
MT: 2:00 PM
PT: 1:00 PM

How to watch Alabama vs Indiana in the USA

Don’t miss the 2025 college football showdown between Alabama and Indiana streaming live on Fubo. You can also catch the action on ESPN.

In fact, this was one of the points the coach emphasized after the game in his comments to ESPN sideline reporter Laura Rutledge. Bama knew they needed not only Simpson to mount a comeback but also an internal fire to drive them forward.

“Our guys have been in it all year long and … I’m proud of the fight,” DeBoer said. “I know I’m going to get that every single time we step on the field. We had to create our own breaks a little bit. We knew it was going to be a fist fight. We knew it was going to be a physical game, it’d be hard moving the ball, but you just got to keep playing.”

He also added: “We always talk about when your number gets called, be ready. These guys worked all week long, I really felt like they were dialed in. The critical moments, that’s the difference in our team this year than what we were in the past, and there were some critical moments where our guys stepped up and made plays. The players are the ones that bring everything to life and they did that tonight.”

Simpson, the architect of the comeback

In their thrilling comeback victory against Oklahoma, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson played a nearly perfect second half to keep the Crimson Tide’s championship hopes alive. Simpson completed 18-of-29 passes (62.1%) for 232 yards and two touchdowns, leading a historic 17-point rally without throwing a single interception.

His poise under pressure and connection with freshman receiver Lotzeir Brooks proved to be the spark Alabama needed to secure the 34-24 win and advance to the Rose Bowl.

What’s next for the Crimson Tide?

After their dramatic comeback win over Oklahoma, the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-3) have officially advanced to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. They are set to face the undefeated No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers (13-0) in the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

“Sources tell me that Michigan officials remain conviced that they want to attempt to hire Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer,” Thamel said during a College GameDay segment. “The result of tonight’s game is going to factor heavily into that pursuit, as an Alabama loss would make the logistics of attempting to hire DeBoer much more tenable.”

Thamel isn’t the only heavy hitter suggesting DeBoer’s tenure in Tuscaloosa could be nearing an end. ESPN’s Michael Wilbon echoed those sentiments hours before kickoff, suggesting that a loss tonight would effectively be the detonator for a move to Michigan.

“The coach at Alabama is going to have a job-on-the-line situation in 24 hours, and then headed to Michigan once he loses. And then Alabama’s looking. Then what are you going to say?” Wilbon remarked on ESPN.

Nick Saban stands firm behind DeBoer

Despite the mounting speculation, DeBoer still has powerful allies in his corner. Legendary former head coach Nick Saban recently voiced his unwavering support, emphasizing that the program remains committed to DeBoer as the leader for the long term.

“Kalen DeBoer has the total and complete support of the University of Alabama,” Saban stated before the Alabama-Oklahoma game. “They want him as the head coach at Alabama, no matter what happens tonight.”

A victory over the Sooners would be a massive boost for Alabama, securing a spot in the CFP Quarterfinals. Such a win would set the stage for a historic showdown against Indiana at the Rose Bowl, a potential first-ever meeting between the two programs that has fans and analysts alike buzzing with anticipation.

The margin for error is razor-thin. A loss to Oklahoma would end the Crimson Tide’s championship aspirations immediately. While they would finish with a respectable 10-4 record, a first-round exit would be a massive disappointment in Tuscaloosa and according to Pete Thamel, it could seriously complicate Kalen DeBoer’s future.

A golden opportunity for redemption

After missing out on the CFP last season, Alabama is hungry for a deep run. The path ahead is daunting, particularly with a potential matchup against an Indiana squad led by Heisman-winning quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The Hoosiers enter the postseason with momentum after claiming the 2025 Big Ten Championship over Ohio State, who also remains in the playoff hunt.

The pressure is particularly heavy on head coach Kalen DeBoer. ESPN analyst Harry Douglas suggests that a first-round exit could lead to uncomfortable questions regarding DeBoer’s future, noting the inseparable link between Alabama coaching and championship hardware.

“The expectations at Alabama is always gonna be a national championship and if you can’t win one at Alabama and end your season ends on a negative note like we’ve seen in the last month, it’s gonna be a lot of noise being made in Tuscaloosa.”

[Watch Alabama vs Oklahoma online in the US on Fubo]

History gives this College Football Playoff matchup extra edge, as Oklahoma enters with a rare advantage few programs can claim over Alabama. The Sooners’ strong résumé earned them a home game in Norman, while the Crimson Tide arrive looking to reassert themselves after an uneven stretch.

Oklahoma hasn’t been perfect, but its relentless defense has carried it to this point and now has a shot at the program’s first CFP win. With playoff survival and pride on the line, this is a primetime clash college football fans won’t want to miss.

When will the Alabama vs Oklahoma match be played?

Alabama play against Oklahoma in the 2025 CFP First-Round Game this Friday, December 19, with kickoff scheduled for 8:00 PM (ET).

Alabama vs Oklahoma: Time by State in the USA

ET: 8:00 PM
CT: 7:00 PM
MT: 6:00 PM
PT: 5:00 PM

How to watch Alabama vs Oklahoma in the USA

Don’t miss the 2025 college football showdown between Alabama and Oklahoma, streaming live on Fubo. You can also catch the action on ABC, ESPN2 and ESPN.