The 1996 Alabama squad finished the regular season as the SEC Western Division champions with losses to Tennessee and Mississippi State.
[1] One week later, Alabama lost to Florida in the SEC Championship Game, to finish the regular season with a 9–3 record.
[2] The following day, university officials announced a bid to play in the Outback Bowl was accepted.
Alabama scored first on a 43-yard field goal from placekicker Jon Brock to take an early 3–0 lead.
[3] Griese threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Russell Shaw to close the gap to 17–14, but that would be the final score.