It’s hard to put into words just how bad Alabama’s loss was to Texas on Saturday night.
Not only does the loss already put the Crimson Tide in a fairly tough spot for the College Football Playoff if the team loses another game or two, it set a negative benchmark in history for Alabama’s typically sterling performance at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The 34-24 loss to the Longhorns is reportedly the first double-digit home loss that Alabama has suffered since Oct. 2, 2004, to South Carolina, which is nearly 20 years ago.
It’s also the very first double-digit home loss in the Nick Saban era and the first home loss of Saban’s tenure since 2007.
Texas 34
Alabama 24
FinalAlabama’s first double-digit home loss since October 2, 2004. pic.twitter.com/KIx1tj6OeG
— Bob Ballou (@BobBallouSports) September 10, 2023
Alabama has never lost by double digits at home under Nick Saban. In fact it's never lost by more than 7.
Tide lost to both LSU and … ULM … by 7 in 2007, Saban's first year.
Last time Bama lost by 10+ at home was 20-3 to South Carolina in 2004 — Lou Holtz vs. Mike Shula.
— Creg Stephenson the First (@CregStephenson) September 10, 2023
Prior to Texas loss, Alabama had won 43 consecuve home games against non-conference opponents, the longest active streak in FBS.
Oregon now owns that mark with 31 straight.
Bama last non-conf home loss came against UL Monroe in 2007 (Nick Saban’s first season as head coach).— Marty Smith (@MartySmithESPN) September 10, 2023
This is also the first double-digit home loss for Nick Saban as a college football coach since 2003, when LSU lost to Florida 19-7.
This is Nick Saban's 1st double-digit home loss as a college football HC since 2003 (Florida def. LSU, 19-7).
That was 7,273 days ago. pic.twitter.com/kFyofnjncr
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 10, 2023
This is the kind of outrageous history that both highlights just how dominant Nick Saban has been at home with Alabama and just how rotten the Crimson Tide must feel after falling to Texas how they did.
Texas indeed looks like its back, and Alabama is down bad as a result.