Task at Hand: Alabama home losses in the Nick Saban era

The No. 11 ranked Texas Longhorns will fly to Tuscaloosa Friday facing one of the toughest tasks in college football.

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That’s because Steve Sarkisian and the 2023 Longhorns will attempt to become the ninth team to win at Bryant–Denny Stadium in the Nick Saban era.

Alabama is an astounding 102-8 (*including three vacated wins) in Tuscaloosa in the Saban era. Three of those losses came in Saban’s first season. Winning in the last decade at Alabama has been very difficult. The Crimson Tide are 67-2 at home since the 2013 season, including a 13-1 record against ranked opponents. Only 2019 National Champion LSU has won in Title Town since 2013.

Ranked opponents have played at Alabama 24 times since Saban was hired. The Crimson Tide are 20-4 in those contests.

If one is looking at how many points it could take for the Longhorns to win at Alabama Saturday night, Alabama has surrendered 18.7 points on average in the 24 games against ranked opponents. Two teams have scored 40 points or more, and three have scored 30 or more. Only ten of the 24 opponents have scored 20 points or more.

Inside Texas takes a look at the Alabama Crimson Tide at home in the Saban era.

2007 Season (2)

This was year one of the Saban era. A total rebuild was underway, albeit a quick one with sharp ascending starting in the 2008 season. Alabama was 4-3 at home, including the lone non-ranked home loss in the Saban era.

No. 22 Georgia 26, Alabama 23 (OT) – September 22, 2007

No. 3 LSU 41, Alabama 34 – November 3, 2007

Louisiana-Monroe 21, Alabama 14 – November 17, 2007. ULM won with 295 yards of offense.

2008 Season

Alabama went 7-0 at home in 2008 all over unranked opponents.

2009 Season (National Champions)

Alabama went 7-0 at home in 2009. That included ranked wins over No. 22 South Carolina (20-6) and No. 9 LSU (24-15).

2010 Season

Alabama went 6-1 at home in 2010. That included ranked wins over No. 18 Penn State (24-3), No. 7 Florida (31-6) and No. 17 Mississippi State (30-10).

No. 2 Auburn 28, No. 11 Alabama 27 – November 26, 2010. Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and Auburn won the Iron Bowl with 350 total yards of offense.

2011 Season (National Champions)

Alabama went 6-1 at home in 2011. That included a ranked win over No. 14 Arkansas (38-14).

No. 1 LSU 9, No. 2 Alabama 6 (OT) – November 5, 2011. LSU won with 242 yards of offense.

2012 Season (National Champions)

Alabama went 6-1 at home in 2012. That included a ranked win over No. 13 Mississippi State (38-7)

No. 15 Texas A&M 29, No. 1 Alabama 24 – November 10, 2012. Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel and the Aggies put up 418 yards of offense.

2013 Season

Alabama went 7-0 at home in 2013. That included ranked wins over No. 21 Ole Miss (25-0) and No. 10 LSU (38-17).

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2014 Season

Alabama went 7-0 at home in 2014. That included ranked wins over No. 1 Mississippi State (25-20) and No. 15 Auburn (55-44).

2015 Season (National Champions)

Alabama went 6-1 at home in 2015. That included a ranked win over No. 2 LSU (30-16).

No. 15 Ole Miss 43, No. 2 Alabama 37 – September 19, 2015 (last night loss at home). Ole Miss won with 433 yards of offense.

2016 Season

Alabama went 7-0 at home in 2016. That included ranked wins over No. 6 Texas A&M (33-14) and No. 13 Auburn (30-12).

2017 Season (National Champions)

Alabama went 7-0 at home in 2017. That included a ranked win over No. 19 LSU (24-10).

2018 Season

Alabama went 7-0 at home in 2018. That included ranked wins over No. 22 Texas A&M (45-23) and No. 16 Mississippi State (24-0).

2019 Season

Alabama went 6-1 at home in 2019.

No. 2 LSU 46, No. 3 Alabama 41 – November 9, 2019. Heisman Trophy winner Joe Burrow and the Tigers put up 559 yards of offense.

2020 Season (National Champions)

Alabama went 5-0 at home in 2020. That included ranked wins over No. 13 Texas A&M (52-24), No. 3 Georgia (42-24) and No. 22 Auburn (42-13).

2021 Season

Alabama went 7-0 at home in 2021. That included ranked wins over No. 12 Ole Miss (42-21) and No. 21 Arkansas (42-35).

2022 Season

Alabama went 7-0 at home in 2022. That included a ranked win over No. 24 Mississippi State (30-6).