Simpson Leads Alabama Upset, Now Hosts No.16 Vanderbilt

Alabama snapped Georgia’s 33-game home winning streak in Athens with a 24-21 victory, moving the Crimson Tide to No. 10. Quarterback Ty Simpson completed 24-of-38 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers, earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors, and was credited by DC Kane Wommack with imparting renewed edge to the defense. Coaches said meetings after an opening loss to Florida State reset the program’s mentality and the win has eased some pressure on coach Kalen DeBoer. Alabama now hosts No. 16 Vanderbilt in a College GameDay rematch of last season’s 40-35 Commodores upset, with Vanderbilt led by QB Diego Pavia and capable of climbing into the top 10 with a win. The matchup brings recruiting momentum — including a visit from 5-star 2027 cornerback John Meredith III — and is being framed by analysts and coaches as a defining test of Alabama’s resilience, focus and College Football Playoff hopes.