USA TODAY Sports projects when Alabama could suffer its first loss of 2024

(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccurate headline.)

We are five weeks into the 2024 college football season, and only 19 of the 134 Football Bowl Subdivision programs remain undefeated.

To the surprise of many, the Alabama Crimson Tide are one of them after a 42-10 road win against the Wisconsin Badgers and a statement 41-34 victory over Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs, something no school other than Alabama has done since 2020.

With two of their biggest hurdles already in the rearview mirror, a path to the SEC Championship and playoffs is becoming clear. The Tide still have games against No. 4 Tennessee, No. 9 Missouri, No. 13 LSU, No. 19 Oklahoma and Auburn remaining. However, with the playoffs expanding to 12 teams this year, a team can afford to drop a game or two and still compete for a national title.

Even though prospects look good for the Tide, we know how quickly that can change. If Alabama is to lose a game this year, it will come on the third Saturday of October against Tennessee according to USA TODAY Sports. It predicted the first loss for all 19 remaining undefeated teams saying,

“This is the first of three ranked opponents in a row for the Crimson Tide, with the Volunteers followed by No. 9 Missouri in Tuscaloosa and No. 12 LSU on the road. While Alabama could definitely stay perfect through this run, Tennessee looks like an elite team capable of making the most of the home-field advantage in this rivalry.”

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