EA Sports expects a major bounce back for Kalen DeBoer, Alabama with CFB26 rating

Kalen DeBoer and Alabama football aren't really flying under the radar anymore. More and more experts are coming out and projecting the Crimson Tide as not only a College Football Playoff team, but a legitimate National Championship contender.

But none have been brave enough to rank the Crimson Tide at the very top of the sport. That is until now.

It might just be a video game, but it speaks to how Alabama is viewed by those who created the game and input player ratings. According to EA Sports' forthcoming CFB26 game, the second installment of the relaunched college football video game franchise, the Crimson Tide is the best team in the country:

Alabama checks in at an 89 overall on CFB26

Alabama is the top team in the country, according to EA Sports. The Tide is rated as an 89 overall, the highest on the new game. They are slightly ahead of seven teams that are 88 overalls, including three SEC rivals: Georgia, Texas, and Texas A&M.

All in all, the Top 25 features 12 teams from the SEC, seven of which are on Alabama's 2025 schedule.

As expected in real life, the Crimson Tide is paced by its elite defense in the virtual world. Alabama's defense ranks No. 1 at a 96 overall, two points better than Texas and Penn State, which are tied at No. 2 with 94 overalls.

Led by second-year defensive coordinator Kane Wommack, Alabama returns quite a bit of production from a defense that ranked No. 10 in the country in yards per play against a year ago. This year's unit is deeper and more experienced, featuring perhaps the best secondary in the country, an elite crop of linebackers, and some budding stars on the defensive line.

The Alabama offense isn't too shabby itself. It is rated as an 89 overall, sitting tied for fifth overall in the game with Clemson and LSU. Texas, Penn State, Ohio State, and Arizona State are all 90 overall and above.

The Tide's offense features one of the best offensive lines in the country, an elite crop of receivers, a deep stable of running backs, and a big ol' question mark at quarterback. If there was more confidence in Ty Simpson, then I think more pundits would be willing to make the statement that Alabama is the best team in the country.

As is, it's a wait-and-see approach. If Simpson - or Austin Mack or Keelon Russell - can be good, if not great, at QB, then Alabama is a true title contender. Because top-to-bottom, there may not be a better roster in college football.

EA Sports has accepted that reality. It might be time for others to hop on the bandwagon.