Bama Central

Yes, Things Can Get Worse for Arkansas, Tennessee Against Alabama: All Things CW

Razorbacks and Volunteers have yet to beat Crimson Tide under Nick Saban, but those aren't the longest streaks in Alabama history.

Christopher Walsh

In this story:

This week, BamaCentral is breaking apart the All Things CW notes column by Christopher Walsh into five parts, one each day leading up to Saturday's game at Arkansas. This is ... 

Take 4

Alabama Crimson Tide football has been known for its streaks over the years. 

Some impressive ones that the program is currently enjoying include being ranked No. 1 in the AP Top 25 at some point of every season since 2008, and the ongoing 54-game winning streak against non-conference foes in the regular season, including a 40-game home winning streak at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Alabama had a 100-game winning streak against non-ranked opponents that was finally snapped last season, along with Nick Saban's 24-game winning streak facing head coaches who had at one point been one of his assistants.

Two streaks that will be on the line this month are Alabama's 15-game undefeated string under Saban against SEC rivals Arkansas and Tennessee. Both opponents have been ranked in the top 10 this season, although the Razorbacks dropped to No. 20 following last week's gut-churning loss to Texas A&M. 

The last time the Razorbacks won against the Crimson Tide was in 2006, and they still needed double-overtime to do so at home. Quarterback Mitch Mustain's 11-yard touchdown pass to tight end Ben Cleveland set up the winning point, a Jeremy Davis kick for the 24-23 victory. Running back Darren McFadden had 112 rushing yards on 25 carries and scored a touchdown to lead Arkansas. 

The last Tennessee win was during that same season, 16-13 in Knoxville. The defense picked off Erik Ainge three times (two by Simeon Castille), but running back Arian Foster scored a late touchdown to secure the last win for the No. 7 Volunteers. 

But neither school can claim to have suffered the most, and the longest, at the hands of the Crimson Tide. 

The longest unbeaten streak in Alabama history is 31 straight games, which Kentucky endured from 73 years, from 1923-1996. The only non-win Alabama had in the series during those seven-plus decades was 7-7 tie in 1939. 

Frank Thomas was the coach and he can be forgiven since Alabama claims two national titles under his direction. 

But in terms of pure winning streaks in a series, with no ties, both Arkansas and Tennessee are only scratching the top five. 

Note: The following list only includes each school once. It needs to be noted that Mississippi State also has 15-game, and has an ongoing 14-game losing steak against Alabama, and Kentucky and Vanderbilt both had 14-game losing streaks as well.

Alabama Longest Winning Streaks Against An  Opponent

  1. Mississippi State 22, 1958-80
  2. Vanderbilt 20, 1985-ongoing*
  3. Kentucky 16, 1923-1938
  4. Arkansas 15, 2007-ongoing
  5. Tennessee 15, 2007-ongoing
  6. Clemson 13, 1909-2016
  7. Ole Miss 12,  1912-32 
  8. Sewanee 12, 1923-38 
  9. LSU 11, 1971-81
  10. Southern Miss 11, 1957-80
  11. Miami 10, 1962-79
  12. South Carolina 10, 1937-2000
  13. Tulane 10, 1961-ongoing  
  14. Virginia Tech 10, 1932-79

* Does not include a forfeit and two vacated wins, bringing the total down from 23.

In case you're wondering, just missing double-digits are Auburn (1973-81) and Louisville (1941-ongoing) with nine, with Florida (1964-86, 2009-ongoing) and Texas A&M (2013-20) both at eight. 

That includes every team in the SEC West. 

Personal Note

As someone who worked in the Fort Myers area for eight years (my first job at as a journalist) please keep everyone in Florida in your thoughts and prayers as deals with Hurricane Ian disaster, and help in any way that you can. 

See Also:

Take 1: Third-Down Numbers a Real Reason for Optimism with Alabama Offense, Bryce Young

Take 2: It's Time for SEC Schools to Seriously Consider Scheduling HBCU Opponents: All Things CW

Take 3: 2022-23 Could be a Banner Year for Alabama Women's Sports

Published
Christopher Walsh
CHRISTOPHER WALSH

Christopher Walsh is the founder and publisher of BamaCentral, which first published in 2018. He's covered the Crimson Tide since 2004, and is the author of 26 books including Decade of Dominance, 100 Things Crimson Tide Fans Should Know and Do Before They Die, Nick Saban vs. College Football, and Bama Dynasty: The Crimson Tide's Road to College Football Immortality. He's an eight-time honoree of Football Writers Association of America awards and three-time winner of the Herby Kirby Memorial Award, the Alabama Sports Writers Association’s highest writing honor for story of the year. In 2022, he was named one of the 50 Legends of the ASWA. Previous beats include the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with Major League Baseball’s Arizona Diamondbacks. Originally from Minnesota and a graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he currently resides in Tuscaloosa.

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