2004 Alabama Crimson Tide football team
The 2004 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the Southeastern Conference during the 2004 season. Led by second-year head coach Mike Shula, the Tide finished with a 6-6 record overall and 3-5 in the SEC, tying for third place in the Western Division. They played home games at Bryant–Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and were invited to the Music City Bowl, where they lost to Minnesota 20-16.
The team started the year strong, winning the first three games against Utah State, Mississippi, and Western Carolina. However, quarterback Brodie Croyle was injured in the Western Carolina game and missed the rest of the season, making it harder for Alabama to score consistently in SEC games against Arkansas and South Carolina. After the rough stretch, the Tide had several big wins in the middle of the season, but then dropped the next two games to rival Tennessee and later finished with three straight losses to LSU, Auburn, and Minnesota in the bowl game.
This season was notable for Alabama not appearing in the AP poll at any point, the first time since 1958. In the Iron Bowl, Alabama led Auburn 6-0 at halftime but fell 21-13 as Auburn scored three unanswered touchdowns after the break. In the Music City Bowl, Minnesota defeated Alabama 20-16 after taking a lead and holding on, despite a late Alabama safety.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 15:37 (CET).