The 1996 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama for the 1996–97 college football season, competing in the Western Division in the Southeastern Conference. Gene Stallings led the Crimson Tide to a 10–3 record in his final year with the program. The team played their home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. Alabama's loss to Mississippi State broke a 15-game winning streak Alabama had in the series and was their first loss to the Bulldogs since a dramatic upset MSU posted over the #1 ranked Tide in 1980. Following a victory in the annual Iron Bowl on November 23, head coach Gene Stallings announced his retirement, which would go into effect at the end of the season. Schedule Coaching staff Game summaries Bowling Green Alabama wins its sixth straight season opener over newly Division 1 opponent Bowling Green. Southern Miss Alabama would hold Southern Miss to 104 yards of offense to win for the sixth straight year over the Golden Eagles. Vanderbilt In the first home game at Bryant-Denny Stadium for 1996, a shootout would unfold as the Crimson Tide would use a 21 point 3rd quarter to beat the Commodores. Arkansas A defensive struggle goes the Crimson Tide way as they avenge their loss of a year ago to Arkansas. Kentucky Former Alabama coach Bill Curry returned to Tuscaloosa for the first time since leaving Alabama for Kentucky in 1989. Despite being heavy underdogs, Curry's Wildcats forced a 7-7 tie at halftime which brought a chorus of boos from the homecoming crowd. The Crimson Tide then would use a 28 point third quarter to beat Kentucky. North Carolina State Despite giving up a season high 418 yards of offense, The Crimson Tide survived on the road to stay undefeated. Ole Miss The Crimson Tide put its most complete game together to date in 1996 to roll to a shutout win of Ole Miss. Tennessee Tennessee used 14 unanswered points in the 4th quarter to beat Alabama for the second year in a row and for the first time in Knoxville since 1984. LSU For the second time in three weeks, Alabama defense would shut out its opponent. The Crimson tide offense went through one man Redshirt Freshman Shaun Alexander rushed for a School record 291 yards and all four Alabama touchdowns. Mississippi State For the first time since 1980,