Alabama Climbs to No. 10 in AP Top 25 After Second-Half Rally Past Kentucky

Alabama football climbed to No. 10 in the latest AP Top 25 poll after knocking off Kentucky 45-17 in both teams’ SEC opener. The Crimson Tide had entered the season ranked No. 13 in the AP Preseason poll, meaning Saturday’s result moved them up three spots as voters rewarded a resilient, come-from-behind performance on the road.

How Alabama Overcame a Rocky First Half to Beat Kentucky

The final score doesn’t tell the full story of how difficult this game actually was for Alabama. The Crimson Tide trailed 17-13 at halftime and managed just 128 total yards over the first two quarters, including only five rushing yards. Quarterback Keelon Russell, making his first career road start, threw two first-half interceptions as Alabama searched for any offensive rhythm against Kentucky.

Everything changed after the break. Alabama outscored Kentucky 32-0 in the second half, finishing the game with 343 total yards, including 155 rushing yards — a staggering 150 of which came after halftime alone. Head coach Kalen DeBoer described the turnaround afterward as far from perfect, but said the approach at halftime wasn’t about manufacturing manic energy — it was about getting locked in, refocused, and trusting that execution would eventually take over.

Daniel Hill and Alabama’s Running Game Power the Second-Half Surge

Running back Daniel Hill was the biggest catalyst behind Alabama’s turnaround, finishing with a career-high 104 rushing yards and a touchdown. Trae’shawn Brown and EJ Crowell also found the end zone on the ground, giving Alabama three different rushing touchdowns in the win. Russell finished 16-of-23 passing for 188 yards with one touchdown to go with his two first-half interceptions, connecting with Rico Scott for Alabama’s first receiving touchdown of the season. Wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks led six different Crimson Tide pass-catchers with five receptions for 54 yards, adding a crucial two-point conversion catch that pushed Alabama’s lead to 31-17 in the third quarter.

Defensively, linebacker Caleb Woodson turned in a standout performance with 12 tackles, including two for loss and two sacks, helping hold Kentucky to just 62 total yards of offense in the second half after Kenny Minchey and the Wildcats had moved the ball more freely before the break.

Alabama Extends Its Historic Winning Streak Over Kentucky

With the win, Alabama extended its streak over Kentucky to nine consecutive victories, a run that began after the Wildcats’ shocking 40-34 overtime win in 1997 — a result that had snapped a 75-year Kentucky losing streak in the series at the time. Saturday’s win also kept Kalen DeBoer perfect in SEC openers since taking over at Alabama.

What’s Next: Alabama Hosts Florida State in a Rematch of Last Year’s Upset

Alabama’s next test arrives quickly, as Florida State travels to Tuscaloosa for a Saturday, September 19 matchup, with kickoff set for 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC. The game carries some extra motivation for the Crimson Tide — Florida State upset Alabama to open the 2025 season, and Alabama enters as an 18.5-point favorite this time around, a sign of just how much both programs’ fortunes have shifted over the past year. Following Saturday’s win, Russell said he’s ready to put in the work this week to get ready for Florida State and clean up the mistakes from the Kentucky game, specifically referencing his two first-half interceptions.

Full AP Top 25 Poll After Week 2

Here’s the complete updated AP Top 25 following Week 2’s results:

1. Texas
2. Georgia
3. Notre Dame
4. Indiana
5. Miami
6. Ohio State
7. LSU
8. Ole Miss
9. Texas A&M
10. Alabama
11. BYU
12. USC
13. Texas Tech
14. Penn State
15. Tennessee
16. SMU
17. Utah
18. Iowa
19. Michigan
20. Missouri
21. Oregon
22. Houston
23. Louisville
24. Oklahoma
25. Virginia

Why Alabama’s Rise in the Rankings Matters Heading Into Florida State

Climbing to No. 10 puts Alabama firmly back in the national championship conversation after a shaky start against Kentucky raised some early concerns. With Keelon Russell showing he can settle in and produce even after a rough start, and Alabama’s ground game proving it can take over a game once it gets rolling, the Crimson Tide will look to build real momentum with a statement win over Florida State next weekend and potentially climb even further up the poll in the process.