No. 4 Alabama hosts LSU while seeking November to remember

AP file photo by Vasha Hunt / Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, with ball, said the Crimson Tide want to make the most of their final four games in the regular season during November to avoid wasting the chance for potential trips to the SEC title game and the College Football Playoff next month. AP file photo by Vasha Hunt / Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, with ball, said the Crimson Tide want to make the most of their final four games in the regular season during November to avoid wasting the chance for potential trips to the SEC title game and the College Football Playoff next month.

By KENNINGTON LLOYD SMITH III / The Associated Press November 7, 2025 5 min read

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama stumbled last November with a spot in the College Football Playoff seemingly within reach.

The Crimson Tide were seventh in the CFP selection committee’s rankings when they lost 24-3 at unranked Oklahoma, and two weeks later they got left out of the postseason bracket despite the playoff having expanded to 12 teams last season after a decade with a four-team format.

The setback against the Sooners still resonates with this year’s team heading into Saturday night’s home game against regrouping LSU.

“In order to be remembered by what you did in November, it starts in September and October,” said redshirt junior quarterback Ty Simpson, who has thrived in his first year as the starter behind center. “And we need to make sure that we don’t (throw) it away and just be glad we had a good season in the front end.

“We need to finish it out and make sure that we come ready to play, and we separate ourselves these next couple games.”