Crimson Tide football

Georgia was voted number one in The Associated Press Top 25 for the second time this season Sunday, unbeaten UCLA matched its highest ranking in 25 years and Ohio State's free fall continued after a wild weekend that followed the first College Football Playoff rankings of the year. Alabama moved up after soundly defeating LSU.

Sportswriters said tonight's game at Death Valley was a must win for either two loss Alabama, or two loss LSU. The winner would play on for a shot the College Football Playoff, and the loser would see their percentage chance of a post season chance at the title all but ended.

Number 9 ranked Alabama expects to have standout receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams back after he missed the last two games. Coleman-Williams and two other starters were listed as probable for the team’s game at No. 15 LSU on Saturday.

Midseason stumbles by No. 9 Alabama and 15th-ranked LSU briefly threatened to lower the gravity of what will be the last of 64 annual matchups on Saturday. The Crimson Tide and Tigers have since rebounded with convincing victories to again set the stage for another memorable, early November tilt that even First Lady Melania Trump is scheduled to attend.

It’s been a confusing college football season so far. Nobody felt that more deeply than the College Football Playoff selection committee, which raised eyebrows aplenty in its first attempt of the season to make sense of it all. At number five, was Alabama — eight spots ahead of Tennessee, even though the Tide is only a few weeks removed from a 16-point loss to the Vols. At No. 6 was Kentucky, followed by Texas.

Fans of coach Mario Cristobal and the Miami Hurricanes may have a reason to smile today. That may not be the case for supporters of the Ohio State Buckeyes. Yet another big shuffle is in store when The Associated Press Top 25 is released Sunday afternoon.

Multiple published reports say Alabama defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. is facing misdemeanor charges related to allegedly threatening a police officer involved in his arrest in 2025.

Keelon Russell threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns, including a pair of fourth-quarter scores that helped Alabama pull away, and the 13th-ranked Crimson Tide beat Texas A&M 31-20 on Saturday to end a two-game skid.

No. 6 Alabama is preparing to play without leading wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams at 14th-ranked Tennessee on Saturday. Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer says Coleman-Williams is doubtful for the rivalry known as “The Third Saturday in October.” The team captain is dealing with multiple injuries, including a concussion.

If Georgia lands the No. 1 ranking, it should probably come with an asterisk. The second-ranked Bulldogs benefited from what appeared to be a blown call in a 20-17 victory at No. 2 Alabama on Saturday night.