Alabama football sinks to 8-year low on coaches poll following tight win over USF
Alabama football didn’t bring its best on Saturday.
The Crismon Tide trailed an American Athletic Conference program at the start of its rebuild for the majority of the first half. Alabama’s eventual 17-3 win was less of a rallying cry following the Texas loss and more of an epilogue: Alabama is still better than most teams, but there are major red flags.
On Sunday, the AFCA coaches poll and Associated Press voters seemed to agree.
The Tide dropped from No. 10 to No. 12 in the coaches poll — it was ranked third before losing to Texas. Alabama was 13th in the AP, down three spots. The Tide dropped to its lowest ranking in both polls since 2015 when UA was No. 13 on each.
The top eight remained the same in the coaches poll. Georgia and Michigan led both. Texas rose to No. 3 in the AP poll, jumping Florida State. Auburn received at least one vote on both lists.
Alabama had the second-largest dropoff in the top 25 in the coaches and AP polls. Tennessee dropped 11 spots to No. 20 after its loss at Florida in the coaches, and 12 spots to No. 23 in the AP.
Even with a late interception and touchdown, Alabama’s overall play left much to desired against South Florida. For the second week in a row, Alabama had two touchdowns taken off the board due to a penalty — including a 100-yard kickoff return by Terrion Arnold.
The offense continued to struggle as new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees couldn’t get Tyler Buchner or Ty Simpson into a rhythm while Jalen Milroe was benched. The offensive line allowed five sacks. Defensively, the only points Alabama (2-1) conceded came off a punt return fumble deep in UA territory.
“I need to do a better job of getting them ready to play in games like this. We were a little flat in the beginning, but after the rain delay, I thought we competed better in the game. I want our players to be happy about the fact that they won and enjoy it for 24 hours,” Nick Saban said postgame.
Alabama’s Week 4 opponent, Ole Miss (3-0), rose three spots to No. 16 in the coaches poll. The Rebels are 15th, according to the AP, after beating Georgia Tech in Vaught Hemingway Stadium, 48-23. Next Saturday’s game will be in Bryant-Denny Stadium for a 2:30 p.m. start.
Associated Press poll
- Georgia (57 first-place votes)
- Michigan (3)
- Texas (3)
- Florida State (1)
- Southern California
- Ohio State
- Penn State
- Washington
- Notre Dame
- Oregon
- Utah
- LSU
- Alabama
- Oregon State
- Ole Miss
- Oklahoma
- North Carolina
- Duke
- Colorado
- Miami
- Washington State
- UCLA
- Tennessee
- Iowa
- Florida
Received votes: Clemson 76, Missouri 72, Kansas St. 54, TCU 21, Fresno St. 17, Kansas 15, Tulane 13, Kentucky 10, Maryland 4, BYU 3, Wisconsin 2, Syracuse 2, Louisville 1, Auburn 1.
US LBM Coaches poll
- Georgia (62)
- Michigan (1)
- Florida State
- Ohio State (1)
- Southern California
- Texas
- Penn State
- Washington
- Notre Dame
- Utah
- Oregon
- Alabama
- LSU
- Oklahoma
- Oregon State
- Ole Miss
- North Carolina
- Duke
- Colorado
- Tennessee
- Miami
- Iowa
- Clemson
- Washington State
- UCLA
Received votes: Kansas State 114; Missouri 44; Fresno State 43; Florida 41; Kentucky 28; Texas Christian 26; Maryland 19; Kansas 17; Auburn 16; Texas A&M 11; Syracuse 10; Air Force 9; Tulane 7; Central Florida 5; Wyoming 3; Ohio 3; James Madison 3; Wake Forest 2; Louisville 2; Memphis 1; Brigham Young 1; Arkansas 1.
This post will be updated.
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Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].