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Year three of the Kay Abore era in Tuscaloosa is quickly approaching as Alabama looks to get back to the College Football Playoff. These are my official game by game predictions for the Crimson Tide heading in the upcoming 2026 season as we pull up the schedule starting with the season opener against East Carolina. I've talked about this guys all throughout the preseason. I actually think the early part of the season sets up really well for Alabama. When you think about some of the question marks, right, you're trying to get pieces to gel together on the offensive line. Is it Keon Russell or is it Austin Mack? That is a battle that'll take place during the fall, although I think it will be Keon Russell out of the gate defense, it feels like the floor is pretty high. But early in the season the schedule should get you the opportunity to work out some of those kings. I think that is the case week one against East Carolina and the theme I think for Bama this season that is the case in this game certainly. But for the rest of the season it's not just if you win or lose, it is how it looks. I know Kaynavore has struggled in certain games from the standpoint of his teams have come out flat. His team have come out lackluster in games that Alabama was supposed to win. I don't think that is the case in this football game. I think Alabama wins. I think Alabama wins big. I know East Carolina is one of the Highest ranked non P4 teams at a SEC team with will play and I know Caitlyn Abore certainly was complimentary of them this preseason. I do not think the Crimson Tide will struggle here. If nothing else, I think the defense is dominant. I do think you will see both quarterbacks most likely Keon Russell and Austin Mack. I think it's a quarterback battle that could go into the season. Either way, Bama wins. Bama wins big. They start the Season 1 and O at Kentucky Week 2 for the season opener. This one's tricky because I think Will Stein's club is going to get somebody this season. I don't know who it is and I don't think it's going to be Alabama, but they're a dangerous team just because of the unknown. That being said, I do think it's Bama. I think they're in a much better place than Kentucky. Obviously. Will Stein taking over because it felt like a complete rebuild there. Again, the Cats are an interesting team in the standpoint. If you look at who they picked up in the transfer portal. Kenny Minchi at the quarterback position most notably. And this could be one that's a little closer than you would expect and maybe a little bit too close for comfort if you're a Bama fan. But I think Alima starts SEC play 1 0. They move to 20 overall through two weeks. Then Florida State comes to town. You talk about a revenge game after what happened last year down in Tallahassee. Who can forget with the way the season started, that was one of the biggest upsets of the college football season and we thought it was going to be a, a spark of a win for Florida State. They'd go on and do big things and maybe Bama was going to be down and out and it was an early sign of things to come. It was actually quite the opposite. Bama rebounded in Florida State. Well, they still stunk. I think Mike Norvell is on probably the hottest seat in all of college football. This game in Tuscaloosa, revenge spot whoever is playing quarterback. I think at this point at minimum you could argue even going to Kentucky. But at this point by minimum I think you're going to know who QB1 is. I think it's going to be settled. I think by now you need to know who your guys again if not sooner than that. But if the competition did bleed into the season, if not by Kentucky, certainly by the Florida State game. You need to know if you're Alabama, who your guy is. And I think you will know. I think it'll be Keylon Russell like I mentioned, whoever it is, I think Alamo will put belt to ass in a revenge game. I think it is a big, big win for the Crimson Tide as they build some early momentum in the season. Starting out three and oh, then you close out the month of September against South Carolina in Tuscaloosa. Now this is going to be a really sexy upset pick for a lot of people because what has happened the last two years know the Gamecocks have not beaten Alabama, but the games have come down to the wire. We all recall what happened last year at Williams Bryce Stadium where really Bama cheated death. I mean that was a game they escaped. They got the win two years ago. That was sort of the coming out party for, for Lenora Sellers. Alabama was able to just get by in that one. I don't think the third time's a charm here for South Carolina. I do think it's Bama again on the home field. Like I mentioned, three straight wins. I think they're going to be catching some momentum. The pieces in the offensive line gelling together. I think it is Keon Russell. I think he's going to get more and more and more comfortable. And guys, I'm just not buying Shane Beamer in South Carolina on the road pulling the upset. If you look at the splits home and away with South Carolina, they are very telling. The Gamecocks again. While they gave a valiant effort two years ago in Tuscaloosa, they have not been a good road team throughout the Beamer tenure. I don't think it gets fixed here in Tuscaloosa. Give me Alabama to get the win as they sit 4 and oh and go 40 if the month of September then at Mississippi State, this old rivalry renewed old SEC west showdown between the Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide. I am picking Alabama to beat Mississippi State. That being said, though Bama has struggled in years past against mobile quarterbacks, Kamario Taylor is a guy that I think can be really, really special. They've got Kamario Taylor, fluff Bothwell on the backfield, Anthony Evans on the outside. Tricky game. This is the upset alert game for me on Alabama schedule. Again, it's a game Bama should win, but crazier things have happened before. Will there be that signature Kaylin Abore game we've seen over the first two seasons where Bama's a big favorite or Bama's expected to win and you're not thinking much about it and they go out there and lay an egg? Will it happen? This one could be good. If you do not show up in this ball game, especially if Mississippi State gets off to a hot start. I could certainly see the dogs pulling the upset, but I'm not calling for it. I think Bama survives. Davis Wade gets a big win to move to five and oh, that's up. Sets up the big showdown in Tuscaloosa against the Georgia Bulldogs. This is a team that Alabama and yes, Kaylin aboard as well. They've had Georgia's number guys. I mean Caitlin Deborah, for everything we want to say about him, that he's not, he's not this or he's that or what have you, he has fared really well against the best coaches in the sport. Right. You think about his record against Kirby Smart, against Steve Sarkeesian, against Dan Lanning, you name it, whoever it is, Kaylin aboard has had success. I think one of the biggest differences here is this. When Caitlin Debor has beaten Georgia, what has been the consistent thing? They have had a bye week to get ready and Caitlin Deborah is one of the best coaches in the country. When he's got an extra week to prepare. Notice you don't have that this year. And I know the game is in Tuscaloosa. I totally understand. And I'm not saying Georgia still doesn't have something to overcome mentally that Kirby Smart doesn't still have something to overcome. But I think something changed in Atlanta in that SEC title game. I. I think Georgia, I don't think they'll be as intimidated. I don't think the monkey on the back feels nearly as severe. I don't think the weight of God, we just can't beat Alabama. We can't beat Kayla Bore. I don't think that's there this season, guys. I think Alabama drops their first game here at home at Bryant Denny Stadium to the Georgia Bulldogs. I like this Georgia team a lot. I think Georgia is one of the best bets for the SEC when it comes to breaking the streak of not winning a national title. At minimum not getting to a national title. I think Georgia is as complete as any in college football. Great game. It'll be another classic. You know what you're getting when you get Georgia and Alabama. But I do think it is Georgia who is the more physical team at the point of attack and I think that will be the difference. I think they hand the Crimson Tide their first loss of the season. So that would put you at 2, 4, 5 and 1 going into the game at Neyland Stadium. Rocky Top, raucous environment. It's crazy to think how long Tennessee went without beating Alabama and then their success of late. Right? Tennessee, especially at Neland Stadium. They have won the last two matchups there. What is the hangover effect like for Caitlyn Abor's club as they head to Rocky Top? Guys, I think it's severe enough and Tennessee is one of my surprise teams in the sec. I think it's back to back losses for the Crimson Tide. I think they fall to five and two. I think it'll be another classic. Third Saturday October game at Neyland Stadium. I think that place is raucous. That place is alive. Keon Russell, still a young quarterback going into a hostile environment. I think Tennessee finds some magic and I think they pull the upset and I think they knock Alabama down to 5 and 2. So back to back losses here right in the middle of October. The locals are going to be restless. The locals are going to be upset. But fear not because there's five more games on this schedule. You move on to Texas A and M homecoming in Tuscaloosa. No way. Bama can lose three in a row, right? Right. I think Bama does bounce back. I think they beat Texas A and M. I think this game is going to set up to be a classic. But I think the Crimson Tide find a way in this one to eek out a much needed win. I'm not saying the Boar certainly is going to be coaching for his job in a game like this or really the rest of the way out, but sitting there with two losses, I think the playoff hopes are going to be on life support. I do think you win this one, they live on for another week. I think Bama improves to six and two going into the bye week. Halloween weekend. You come back from that at lsu. Listen guys, I've talked about it before. Death Valley is one of the toughest places to play in all of college football. I think it is the toughest place to go play and win in the SEC unless you're Alabama. I think Bama, they have the secret sauce. They know what it takes to win there. The level of confidence will be supreme. And like I mentioned, Kaylin DeBoer is one of the best coaches in college football. When he's got extra time to prepare, he will have that in this one. I like Alama to beat a first year Lane Kiffin and lsu, a very talented LSU team. But I think by this point a lot of confidence coming from the yaging M win. I think Bama is finding their stride and gaining some confidence. And like I mentioned, guys, every other team in the country looks at it as Death Valley. Bama looks at it as Bryant, Denny, west. That that's just the fact of the matter. Until we see differently, that's the way it's viewed by them and I think they will use that and they will have confidence going in and they will get a big win over LSU to move to 7 and 2 at Vanderbilt. This is another revenge spot, interestingly enough, because what happened two seasons ago could b. Could Vandy. Excuse me, do the unthinkable and pull the upset again? A young Jared Curtis. Can he etch his name in Vandy lore and be the next Commodore's quarterback to pull off the upset over Alabama? No, because Jared Curtis is not Diego Pavia. And that's not to say he's not going to be a fantastic player, guys. But I do think Vandy is a team that's going to take a step back this season. I don't even think we're giving enough credit. I certainly don't think Vandy fans are giving enough credit to the Diego Pave effect and just how important he was for that football team, for the culture, for the locker room, what have you. And again in a revenge spot, guys, if Kayla bore were to lose to Vandy, they might fire him. Despite the extension, despite everything else, there's things you can do at Alabama and get away with losing to Vandy feels like an unforgivable sin. So I do believe that Bama in a revenge spot, they got two of them on this schedule, specifically Florida State and at Vanderbilt. I think they win both. I think Bama takes down the doors to advance to 8 and 2 on the season the following weekend you've got Chattanooga. Not a whole lot to say here. I think Bama, especially after winning three in a row, they're going to be riding high. This is going to be a stat padding game. This might even be a rest your starters game in the second half. With the Iron bowl approaching the following week, I think Bama gets a big win to advance the 9 and 2 and finally the Iron bowl in Tuscaloosa. Alex Goelish, what wrinkle can he provide to the Iron Bowl? Can he provide some excitement down at Bryant Denny stadium, a place where this rivalry is awesome. At Jordan Hare, at Bryant Denny, it's, it's, it's still really good but it's just been so lopsided and so one sided. I mean listen, who knows what Auburn may be. This game could be much, much closer than expected. I mean think about last year guys. Think about how down and out in despair that Auburn was an interim head coach and a non existent offense if you will. And that game came down to the wire. I think with a college football playoff spot on the line though I think Alabama at home gets it done. I don't think Auburn in year one of Alex Golish will quite have the firepower necessary. I don't think Byron Brown is going to be able to have the level of success necessary against that member defense. I will say this though, if you see Bama self inflicted wounds turning the football over D.J. durkin's defense, he can dial some things up. Who knows, things could get a little squirrely there in the fourth quarter but I'm going Alabama. I think the Crimson Tide get it done. And with that being said guys, if you're watching on YouTube you can see on the screen I've got Alabama finishing 10 and 2 overall, 7 and 2 in SEC play. And here's the thing, do I think this is a perfect football team? Not by any means. Right. With that being said, I still Think it's an extremely talented football team. I think if Keelan Russell can grow into himself, I think it could even be an upgrade at quarterback. That's not meant as a slight at Ty Simpson at all. But Kelon Russell, I think can be a very special player. Guys, they won 10 games last year and went to the SEC title game and won a playoff game with the worst rushing attack that Alabama's had in over 30 years. I'm banking on the fact there's no way it's that bad again. There's no way Ryan Coleman Williams is a shell of himself again. The defense I feel really confident about. I think the floor for the defense is very high. I think the secondary is one of the best in college football. They're experienced at the linebacker position and I think they'll be fine in the trenches up front. And I think Bama, I think they've heard so much about the lack of physicality and the lack of discipline and the lack of this and the lack of that, and it's almost like the way they finished has made us forget how good they were for the rest of the season. I mean, I, you know, like. So I'm. I'm trying to be fair here because you're going to see a lot of people picking the demise of Alabama. They're going to go eight and four. They're going to go seven and five. You know, Kaylin Abore, what's his future? I still think as much as Kayin Deor has pissed me off in the past, because trust me, he pissed me off in that Florida state game. I took Bama to cover. I took Bama big. Lord knows I look like a fool. And I swore off Kaylin aboard after that game, admittedly, and look how far I've come, I guess. But to be fair, Kaylan Abore is still one of the best coaches in college football. He's done enough for me to say that just because the expectations are so sky high in Tuscaloosa and that he's the guy following Nick Saban and he's tasked with meeting set expectations, it does not mean Kayla Abore is not a good coach. Now, this is a massive year. It is very much playoff or bust. And it's not just about this record. If they go 10 and 2, it's how this 10 and 2 looks. It's how they win football games. It's, do they have physicality? It's, do they have self discipline? Are you able to get the most out of the quarterback position? Are you able to run the football things of that nature. That said, I think the floor is really high for this football team. I think Alabama is a College Football playoff team in 2026. I've got the Crimson Tide and getting there with a 102 record 7 and 2 in conference play. I do not have them in Atlanta in the SEC title, but I do have them making the College Football Playoff for the second consecutive season. Guys, again, our friends over at Kalshi really quickly in case you're wondering what what they think, they give Bama a 42% chance to make the College Football Playoff and they give them a 4% chance to win the national title. So our friends at Cali guys, if you want to place a wager on those numbers on those percentage chances guys for the season even kicks off, everyone is making predictions. Who wins the division, who makes the playoffs, who's lifting the trophy at season's end. On Kalshi, America's number one prediction market platform, you can trade those predictions in a live market. Like I mentioned, they've got Bama percentage chance to make the playoff, win the national title, how many games are going to win, individual game percentages. You can place wagers on all that and much more. Guys on calcium, you're trading against peers in a live market, meaning there's no house. And as the probability changes you can trade in and out of your position, trade the draft, pick the game and much more. On Kalshi. Download the Kalshi app. Use promo code SCCU to get up to 500 in bonus credits when you trade 25. That's K A L S H I kalshi trade on anything 18 enough. Only restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Couchy products are not available in all jurisdictions. Price, prices, values and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information, see kalshee.com regulatory guys once again I've got Alabama at 10 and 2, 7 and 2 in SEC play and making the College Football Playoff in year three of Kayla Bore. What say you would love to hear in the comments down below. Until next time, appreciate you all tuning in. Make sure you hit that like and subscribe button on YouTube. Check us out where we get your podcast all across your favorite social media platforms as well as our website sec unfiltered.com thanks so much for tuning in. Appreciate you all. Have a great rest of your day. We'll talk to you all on the other side. Sa.