By admin 
Alabama entered its first SEC and road game of the 2026 season against Kentucky ranked No. 12 in both the AP Top 25 and Coaches Poll.
Read more Clemson relies on kicking, defense to down Georgia Southern
After trailing 17-13 at halftime in Lexington on Saturday afternoon, the Crimson Tide exploded in the second half and scored 32 unanswered points to win 45-17.
The Coaches Poll was released on Sunday, and Alabama moved up to No. 10.
The AP Top 25 will be released at around 1 p.m. CT, and this story will be updated with Alabama’s placement in it. Additionally, this article will include the full AP Top 25 when made available.
The Crimson Tide entered the season at No. 13 in the AP Top 25 and No. 11 in the Coaches Poll. This was the first time since 2008 that the Crimson Tide wasn’t in the initial top 10.
Alabama was in an unfamiliar spot entering the 2026 season, as it was also picked fifth in the SEC Preseason Poll. On Aug. 5, head coach Kalen DeBoer was asked during the press conference if his players are paying attention to the doubts from outside the program.
DeBoer’s answer: “Yeah, we are definitely aware.”
It’s been a solid first two weeks for Alabama, and while Saturday’s road victory in Lexington was impressive, DeBoer and company got some help from the teams that were in front of them in the polls. No. 1 Ohio State lost to No. 4 Texas, No. 6 Oregon was upset by Oklahoma State and No. 11 Oklahoma fell to Michigan.
Read more Dodgers Make Teoscar Hernandez Announcement After Removal From Lineup
The Crimson Tide aim for a 3-0 start to the season at home on Sept. 19 against Florida State. While Alabama probably won’t admit it, this will be a bit of a revenge game, as the Seminoles took down UA in the 2025 season opener in Tallahassee.
Alabama’s 2026 Season in the Polls
- Preseason: No. 13 in AP Top 25, No. 11 in Coaches Poll
- After Week 1 (East Carolina Win): No. 12 in AP Top 25, No. 12 in Coaches Poll
- After Week 2 (Kentucky Win): No. ? in AP Top 25, No. 10 in Coaches Poll
Check Out What Kalen DeBoer Said After Beating Kentucky!
Sign up to our free newsletter and follow us on Twitter/X, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok for the latest news.
Today’s best reads
- Where Alabama Football Ranks After Dominating East Carolina
- How to Watch No. 13 Alabama Football at Kentucky
- No. 12 Alabama at Kentucky: Game Central, Weather Report, Live Updates and Analysis
- Three Matchups That Will Decide Alabama’s Week 2 Game Against Kentucky
- Tide Up, Tide Down for No. 12 Alabama’s Road Victory Over Kentucky
This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/alabama as Where Alabama Ranks in Polls After Beating Kentucky.
Copyright ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Read more Barcelona Player Ratings vs. Levante: Lamine Yamal Matches Thrilling Lionel Messi Feat
This story was originally published September 13, 2026 at 9:42 AM.