Jumbo Package: Aggies to visit for Homecoming in 2026

Happy Friday, everyone. The Gym Tide face a daunting task tonight as they take on top ranked powerhouse Oklahoma in Norman. The Sooners are defending their third national title in four seasons.

We’ll keep you up to date on the Charles Bediako situation. He will learn today whether an injunction will be granted to keep him eligible for the rest of the season. SEC commissioner Greg Sankey signed an affidavit in opposition to his injunction. We’ll see what the judge decides.

Women’s basketball survived a close one last night.

The No. 23 Crimson Tide (20-4, 6-4 SEC) downed No. 14 Ole Miss (19-5, 6-3 SEC) at Coleman Coliseum on Thursday. The win gives Alabama its fifth straight 20-win season.

Alabama led by four points after the first and, thanks to a late 3-pointer by Ace Austin, took a lead into the final quarter. Diana Collins gave Alabama the lead with a layup with under 20 seconds to go before Jessica Timmons took a charge to give Alabama the ball back.

It was another game the Crimson Tide struggled to shoot, hitting 35.7% from the field after shooting 30% against LSU on Sunday. This go-around, the defense kept Alabama in the game, holding Ole Miss under 40% shooting for most of the game.

That was a big one where SEC standings are concerned, but at 20-4 the ladies should be solidly in the NCAA field again.

We now know that Alabama will face the Aggies for Homecoming.

Alabama football’s annual Homecoming game is scheduled for Oct. 24 when the Tide hosts Texas A&M, the University announced Thursday.

The Crimson Tide and Aggies will meet for the 17^th time in series history with UA owning a 13-3 (.813) advantage in the series. Alabama owns an 89-14-1 (.861) all-time record on Homecoming and has won 22 of its last 25 matchups on Homecoming dating back to 2000.

A start time and network designation will be announced at a later date. Additionally, more information on Homecoming, including additional activities, traffic and parking will be posted on RollTide.com when it becomes available.

There aren’t many easy options on the schedule for that game these days.

Guess what the most important unknown for the Alabama squad is this season? I bet you know.

Anytime you replace a starting quarterback with an inexperienced option, some uncertainty is certain. That’s no different here.

Austin Mack has been in college football since 2023, and Keelon Russell is heading into his second season. But neither has seen significant playing time. Mack has the most, and that really only includes a first-half series against Louisiana Monroe, with the rest in the Rose Bowl once Ty Simpson left with an injury.

Meanwhile, Russell only got cleanup duty during his freshman season in 2025.

Both are intriguing, talented options. Both are also unproven and unknowns until proven otherwise.

The offensive line is up there too, and will contribute to the success of the QB position, but there is a wide range of possibilities when it comes to QB play this season. The hope has to be that Keelon Russell is ready to be a 2nd-year Bryce as that would be the very best case scenario.

Amari Sabb spoke about why he chose Alabama.

“I always knew about Alabama when I was younger, them being a powerhouse program,” Amari Sabb said. “But actually getting up there and seeing the stuff for yourself with your own eyes, it’s just like, how can you not be at this school? With the rich history, the rich program, always going to be a good team. How can’t you go there?” 

Sabb saw an opportunity at Alabama, one that he’s been working up to since he first touched a football at age 5 in a game that ended in him scoring his first four touchdowns, since he acquired offers from Penn State, Ole Miss and Georgia in the seventh grade. 

“Amari has never shied away from the bright lights,” Glassboro High School football coach Timmy Breaker said. “He actually welcomes the bright lights.” 

Last, Reggie Ragland had things to say about the team last season.

“At times, I feel like guys wouldn’t hold the point of attack,” said Ragland, now the director of player personnel at West Alabama on Scott Cochran’s staff. “Guys would get thrown about the club. Sometimes the DBs wouldn’t come up and tackle.”

In other words, soft.

And it wasn’t new. Follow Ragland on what was formerly known as Twitter, and you’ll know these complaints were consistent during rough patches last season.

“I feel like y’all weren’t physical a lot during the year, because this Indiana game, I’m like, what the hell is going on? Like, even. Even if you’re working your ass off and you missing plays, at least you can be physical out there and let them know you still there.

Some more toughness would be a good thing, but all of the Saban era players constantly grousing publicly becomes unproductive at some point.

That’s about it for today. Have a great weekend.

Roll Tide.