With a 49-21 win over Kentucky on Saturday, Alabama football has returned to the top of the SEC West. The Crimson Tide clinched the division for the first time since 2021 and moved to 9-1 on the season, 7-0 in league play.

Last season, UA disappointed late in its SEC schedule. The Tide dropped games against Tennessee and LSU on the road, giving the Tigers the division win.

This season, Alabama is undefeated in SEC play through seven games, including revenge matchups against both the Volunteers and LSU. Saturday’s win over the Wildcats gave the Crimson Tide an insurmountable advantage over Ole Miss, which UA beat in its SEC opener.

Alabama also would have clinched with a Rebel loss to Georgia in Athens. That game could still have repercussions in the Tide’s future scheduling.

If Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs beat Lane Kiffin and company Saturday, it would be enough to clinch the SEC East. Georgia could also clinch with a Missouri win over Tennessee.

Alabama won the last time the two teams met in the SEC title game, in 2021. The Bulldogs later avenged the loss in the national title game.

The SEC championship game is scheduled for Dec. 2 in Atlanta in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Alabama also kept its College Football Playoff hopes alive with the win. The Crimson Tide were ranked No. 8 entering the game, and will likely need to win out, including the SEC championship game, in order to have a chance to make the top four.

UA will be back in action next Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium against Chattanooga before finishing its regular season at Auburn in the Iron Bowl.