Alabama Score Football Today: What Really Happened to the Crimson Tide

Alabama Score Football Today: What Really Happened to the Crimson Tide

So, you're looking for the alabama score football today, and honestly, the answer is a little weird if you aren't staring at a calendar. It is Saturday, January 17, 2026. If you're checking the scoreboard for a live game right now, you’re going to find a whole lot of nothing.

The Crimson Tide isn't on the field today. Their season actually slammed to a violent, unexpected halt about two weeks ago.

While the basketball team is busy grinding out a mid-January SEC schedule (they played Oklahoma today, by the way), the football pads are in storage. But the "score" everyone is still talking about—the one that’s basically haunting Tuscaloosa right now—is that 38-3 nightmare against Indiana. Yeah, you read that right. Indiana.

The Playoff Disaster That Still Stings

To understand why there is no alabama score football today, we have to look back at the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. Alabama entered that game as the No. 9 seed in the College Football Playoff. They had just come off a solid 34-24 win over Oklahoma in the first round and people were starting to whisper about another title run under Kalen DeBoer.

Then the Hoosiers happened.

It wasn’t just a loss; it was a total system failure. The final score was 38-3. It was the kind of game where nothing worked. Ty Simpson, who had been the guy all season, got battered so hard he didn't even finish the game. He ended up going 3-for-17 for a measly 9 yards before being pulled.

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If you want the "today" update, it's this: the program is currently in a state of total reconstruction.

Where Does the Roster Stand Now?

Since there’s no game to watch, the "score" is being kept in the transfer portal and the NFL Draft tracker. That’s the real competition happening this week.

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Ty Simpson officially declared for the 2026 NFL Draft a few days ago. He’s moving on. That leaves a massive, gaping hole at quarterback. The buzz in the facility is all about Keelon Russell and whether the rising sophomore is actually ready to take the keys to the Ferrari. Or, knowing DeBoer, if they’re going to go shopping for a veteran in the portal to bridge the gap.

The Casualty List

  • Germie Bernard: The leading receiver (862 yards) is gone, heading to the Senior Bowl—though he's currently dealing with an injury that might keep him sidelined for the actual game on January 31.
  • The Defense: Deontae Lawson and Justin Jefferson, the heart of the linebacker corps, are also transitioning to the pros. They combined for nearly 175 tackles this past season. Replacing that level of instinct isn't something you do over a weekend.
  • The O-Line: This is the scary part. With guys like Kam Dewberry out of eligibility and Kadyn Proctor likely NFL-bound, the front line is basically a "Help Wanted" sign.

Why the Alabama Score Football Today Matters for 2026

Even though they aren't playing today, the fallout from that Indiana loss is shaping the 2026 season. DeBoer is entering his third year. In Tuscaloosa, the "grace period" is basically non-existent. You either win or you're a topic of conversation on local radio that nobody wants to be.

Most people get it wrong—they think Alabama is "down." But they still finished 11-4. In almost any other city in America, 11-4 with a playoff win is a legendary season. In Tuscaloosa? It feels like a rebuilding year.

The real news today isn't a final score on ESPN. It's the fact that AK Dear, the explosive freshman running back, confirmed he’s staying put. He had a 56-yard touchdown against ULM earlier this year that showed he’s got the "it" factor. Keeping him is a win.

Actionable Steps for Tide Fans This Weekend

Since you can't watch a game today, here is how you should actually track the program:

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  1. Watch the Transfer Portal: This is where the 2026 season will be won or lost. Specifically, look for offensive line depth. If Alabama doesn't land at least two starting-caliber tackles by the end of the month, the 2026 "score" might look a lot like the Indiana game.
  2. Follow the Senior Bowl: It's happening in Mobile on January 31. Even with injuries, guys like Jam Miller and Parker Brailsford are expected to show out. It’s the last time you’ll see these names associated with the Crimson Tide.
  3. Monitor the QB Battle: Keelon Russell is the name. If you see news about him "taking the lead" in early conditioning, that's your signal for the future.

The alabama score football today is effectively 0-0, because the only game that matters now is the one happening in the recruiting offices and the weight room. The 2025-26 season is over. The quest to make sure a "38-3" never happens again has officially begun.