Based on the majority of the "Way too Early" Top 25 predictions for 2025, Alabama football is an afterthought on the national scene. After nearly two decades spent as the preeminent program in college football, the standard that all others strived for, the Crimson Tide heads into next season as an underdog.
Nick Saban is gone. Kalen DeBoer has been tasked with filling the enormous shoes left behind by the greatest coach the sport has ever seen. Year one was a mixed bag for DeBoer. Alabama experienced some highs such as beating Georgia and LSU, as well as a fifth consecutive win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl.
But inconsistency plagued the Crimson Tide and led to road losses to Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. Nothing changed during bowl practices and Alabama struggled and lost to Michigan as a double-digit favorite. That marked the third time in 2024 that Alabama lost a game as a double-digit favorite, something that just never happened during Saban's dominant run in Tuscaloosa.
As a result of the 9-4 campaign and another flurry of Transfer Portal defections, most pundits believe Alabama will be good, not great in 2025. I've seen Alabama ranked as high as No. 8 in 2025 Top 25 predictions and as low as 23rd.
One thing is for sure and it's that the Crimson Tide is not seen as a real contender for a national championship next season. And that means, for the first time in 17 years, Alabama will enter a season as an underdog.
Alabama has gotten used to being the favorite. They're used to being the hunted, the team always circled on the schedule by the opposing team as a measuring stick contest. Not since 2008 has there been less hype surrounding an Alabama football team.
That 2008 team was Saban's second in Tuscaloosa. Alabama began the year ranked No. 24 in the AP Poll coming off of a 7-6 season in 2007. It took one game for the Tide to prove that ranking silly. Alabama opened the season in Atlanta and dominated No. 9 Clemson, 34-10.
Alabama would ultimately run the table as a perfect 12-0 in the regular season before losing to Florida in the SEC Championship Game and to Utah in the Sugar Bowl.
Alabama would go on to win three of the next four national titles, including back-to-back in 2011 and 2012, establishing its dynastic form that would carry over for the remainder of the decade.
How will this Alabama team handle being an underdog for once? The Crimson Tide opens the 2025 season against an ACC opponent, just like the 2008 squad did. Unfortunately, it won't be against a Top 10 opponent that will allow the Crimson Tide the ability to flex its muscles against a great team.
It will be a true road game, however, and Florida State will be no slouch at home with plenty to prove following a disastrous 2-10 season in 2024.
The demise of the Tide as a national power is overblown. Sure, the dynasty is likely over. With what college football is now, we aren't likely to see another dynastic run again.
But as disappointing as Alabama's 9-4 campaign was, they weren't far off in 2024. As much as the national media wants to shovel dirt on the Crimson empire, Alabama finished 4th in Bill Connelly's SP+ rankings at the end of the season despite the four defeats.
Alabama's standing as an underdog in the eyes of the media will serve as a nice change of pace for DeBoer's team. And the doubt simmering across the nation will provide plenty of motivation for the team in Tuscaloosa.