Alabama athletics at a crossroads of success, scrutiny, and rivalry

From spring practice position battles and quarterback Ty Simpson's recruiting pitch to questions at linebacker, Alabama football is entering 2026 in a period of transition and renewed expectations. On the hardwood, Nate Oats' surging Crimson Tide squad is grabbing national attention with comeback wins, looming trap games, and injuries as it pushes for SEC prominence. Around the programs, an acclaimed AL.com documentary, over $40M in athletic department losses outside football and men's basketball, and even Auburn outnumbering Alabama on specialty license plates in several counties underscore how tightly sports, money, and rivalry culture are woven into life in Alabama.