If Alabama football is searching for motivation for the 2025 season, it won't have to look far. The Crimson Tide will enter next season as an underdog, something they haven't realistically been since the preseason before the 2008 season.
Way-too-early Top 25 rankings have seen Alabama ranked anywhere from the fringe of the Top 10 all the way down to 23rd. Expectations from the national media are low for Kalen DeBoer's Crimson Tide in his second season in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama will be breaking in a new QB with Jalen Milroe's early entry into the NFL Draft and play-calling duties have been turned over to seasoned DeBoer Lieutenant Ryan Grubb. Grubb was initially pegged as the Crimson Tide's offensive coordinator before leaving to take the Seattle Seahawks OC job after just a few weeks in Tuscaloosa.
Grubb will look to identify Milroe's successor. Ty Simpson is the leader in the clubhouse, though Grubb has been high on Washington transfer Austin Mack, whom he recruited to the Huskies two years ago. 5-star Keelon Russell will push for the starting job immediately, too.
Improved QB play is what stands between the Crimson Tide and being a serious contender in 2025. Vegas oddsmakers appear to be hedging their bets on that front before spring practice.
According to FanDuel, Alabama's over/under is set at 8.5 wins. Going under that total would mean a worse record than the Tide's 9-4 mark in 2024. That would be bad news for DeBoer and likely put him squarely on the hot seat heading into 2026.
Alabama will face a challenging schedule next season. They go on the road and face Florida State to open the season and face Wisconsin at home in the non-conference schedule. Road matchups in the SEC at Georgia, Missouri, South Carolina, and Auburn will all be difficult matchups. Tennessee, LSU, and Oklahoma come to Tuscaloosa. It will be one of the most challenging schedules in the country next season.
Alabama should field one of the nation's best defenses in 2025. There's a plethora of skill-position talent headlined by Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard at WR and rising senior Jam Miller at RB. It will all come down to the QB position and if one of the three competing for the starting job can be an upgrade over Milroe.