The 2002 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC) during 2002 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by Dennis Franchione in his second and final season as head coach, the Crimson Tide compiled an overall record of 10âÂÂ3 with a mark of 6âÂÂ2 in conference play, placing first in the SEC's Western Division. However, Alabama was ineligible to compete in the 2002 SEC Championship Game or a bowl game due to a two-year postseason ban imposed as part of the penalty for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) violations. The team played home games at BryantâÂÂDenny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama.
Alabama began the season with a 4âÂÂ1 record, only losing a close game at No. 8 Oklahoma. On October 5, the Crimson Tide lost another hard-fought game to the No. 4 Georgia, 27âÂÂ25, at home. The team then defeated their next five opponents by an average of 24.4 points. In the Iron Bowl, Alabama lost to Auburn Tigers by a score of 17âÂÂ7. The Crimson Tide ended their season with a win over Hawaii.
On December 5, Franchione left Alabama to take the head football coaching job at Texas A&M University, which was left vacant by the firing of R. C. Slocum.
In the only game that Alabama would play at Legion Field in 2002, the Crimson Tide would score a season opening win for the first time since 1999.
The first road game of the year for Alabama would prove to be one of the most exciting game of the year. Despite trailing 23âÂÂ3 at halftime, Alabama roared back in the second half with 24 unanswered points to take a 27âÂÂ23 lead late into the 4th quarter. Oklahoma however, scored the last 14 points to win 37âÂÂ27.
In the first game of the season at Bryant-Denny Stadium, The Crimson Tide would go over 500 yards of offense for the first time this season and win their first non-conference game at Bryant Denny Stadium since 1999. This game also was the first time since 1986 Alabama would not sellout their game at Bryant-Denny Stadium snapping a streak of 56 straight sellouts in Tuscaloosa.
For the second straight week, Alabama would hold their opponent to under 150 yards of total offense to win their third game of the season. This would be Ahmaad Galloway final game at Alabama as he would tear his ACL in the 4th quarter.
Shaud Williams would take the opening play 80 yards for a touchdown as the Crimson Tide beat Arkansas on the road for the first time since 1996.
Georgia would use a Billy Bennett 32 yard field goal to beat Alabama in the first meeting between teams since 1995.
Santonio Beard tied Shaun Alexander record of five rushing touchdowns in a game as Alabama dominated Ole Miss on Homecoming.
For the first time since 1994, Alabama beat Tennessee snapping a seven year win streak that the Vols had. To date, this was the longest streak by any opponent over the Tide.
For the second year in a row, the Crimson Tide traveled to Vanderbilt and for the 18th straight time Alabama would beat Vanderbilt. This would be the last time Alabama would play Vanderbilt until 2006 snapping a 50 consecutive seasons streak of playing.
Alabama used their offense in the first half and their defense in the second half to preserve second straight win against the Bulldogs for the first time since 1994âÂÂ95. This game was not televised making it the first Alabama game since 1995 not to be on live television.
Alabama defense would record a shutout for the first time since 1997 as they defeated the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge.
Alabama would trail for the first time since the Georgia game earlier in the season as Auburn would upset Alabama to continue their undefeated mark in Iron Bowl's played in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama reached ten wins for the first time since 1999 as Alabama beat Hawaii to end the season 10âÂÂ3. This would be Dennis Franchione's last game as coach at Alabama; he left to be Texas A&M head coach on December 4, 2002.