Kalen DeBoer's first season at the helm of Alabama football ended in disappointment. The Crimson Tide suffered three regular-season defeats, losing twice to teams that finished with at least six losses, and ultimately came up just short of the College Football Playoff field.
Sure, there was a strong argument for Alabama's playoff inclusion over a couple of the teams that got in - SMU and Indiana, in particular - but the blame for the Tide being left out rested squarely in Tuscaloosa.
The decision would have never been in the hands of the playoff committee if Alabama didn't lay an egg in Norman in November. Had they taken care of business against either Tennessee or Vanderbilt, the win over Auburn in the Iron Bowl would have clinched a playoff berth.
As disappointing as this season was, Alabama is close. Don't let the negativity surrounding the program in the national media sway you. They've been waiting to write the Alabama obituary for over a decade and feel comfortable wielding the shovel now.
While the dynasty is probably over - and in this era, a dynasty is unlikely to materialize - Alabama will still field one of the nation's most talented rosters in 2025.
Two of Alabama's three losses in 2024 were close, 50/50 type games. Falling short to Vanderbilt is inexcusable, but take away the fluky pick-six in the first quarter and the Crimson Tide escapes Nashville with a win and they would have played Texas in the SEC Championship just by flipping that result.
Alabama showed it was good enough to compete with anyone. You don't jump out to a 28-0 lead on Georgia if that wasn't true. Inconsistency, particularly with the offense, plagued Alabama one too many times in 2024 and reared its ugly head again in the bowl loss to Michigan.
DeBoer knows how vital 2025 is for his program and his future with it. He is taking the right steps to roster building, copying the formula that led Ryan Day and Ohio State to the national championship this season.
These three things must change on the field in 2025 for Alabama to be a legitimate national title contender:
3 things to make Alabama football a title contender again
3. Create more havoc in the front-seven
Kane Wommack has all the pieces to field an elite defense in Tuscaloosa next season. With guys like LT Overton, Tim Keenan III, Deontae Lawson, Justin Jefferson, Keon Sabb, and Domani Jackson spurning the NFL for a final run, Alabama returns enough talent to be as good as anyone.
And Alabama was really good defensively in 2024, despite a lot of youth in the secondary. Wommack's unit finished 10th in the country in yards-per-play defense.
But to take that next step, Alabama has to create more havoc plays in the front seven next season. To do that, the Tide has to identify a difference-maker in rushing the passer.
Alabama only managed 25 sacks in 2024, and it will be replacing its two leaders in that department: Jihaad Campbell (5 sacks) and Que Robinson (4).
LT Overton could take a big step in that department; he was one of the nation's best at winning his one-on-one matchups and getting into the backfield. He just struggled to finish once he was there.
Natural progression from guys like Qua Russaw and Yhonzae Pierre could help, too. Alabama had to rely on too much blitzing this season in order to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks, which is not something Wommack prefers to do. In order for his defense to be what he wants it to be, Alabama has to be able to get home with four or five.
Alabama needs someone off the edge to step up and become a star in 2025. If that player isn't on the current roster, they need to open the checkbook and find someone in the spring Transfer Portal window.
2. Consistency in the ground game
Alabama's rushing attack is likely to look much different in 2025 than it did in 2024. With Jalen Milroe gone and the reigns likely being handed to Ty Simpson, the Tide should have a more traditional ground game next season.
Simpson is a capable runner, but he's not the level of athlete Milroe was and I think DeBoer and OC Nick Sheridan know it is imperative to put the ball in the hands of a talented stable of running backs.
Jam Miller returns for his senior season and he'll be joined by rising junior Richard Young, Louisiana transfer Dre'lyn Washington, and a trio of young backs looking to make a name for themselves.
Improvement on the offensive line will be necessary to make this happen, too. Alabama returns LT Kadyn Proctor, C Parker Brailsford, and RG Jaedan Roberts, but will have new starters at LG and RT. A new starter at right tackle is likely a blessing with the struggles of Elijah Pritchett, but replacing Tyler Booker at left guard will be no easy task.
Alabama has plenty of talent on the interior that will compete for Booker's job: Texas A&M transfer Kam Dewberry, versatile veteran Geno VanDeMark, and incoming freshman Michael Carroll will push one another in the spring, summer, and fall.
The depth at tackle is a bit more concerning and Alabama is hoping for a sizable leap from Wilkin Formby as he enters his third year in the program.
1. It all comes down to QB play
Nothing else really matters in terms of Alabama being a legitimate contender for a national championship in 2025 if they don't get much improved play at the QB position.
Milroe had his moments and will certainly be remembered for some big moments: 4th-and-31, two wins over Georgia, his evisceration of LSU in Baton Rouge, etc., but his inconsistent play held the Crimson Tide back from being what they could have been this season.
Milroe had two of the worst QB performances at Alabama in two decades in losses to Tennessee and Oklahoma. He didn't look much better in the bowl against Michigan, either.
Whether it is Simpson at QB next season or if Austin Mack or Keelon Russell beat him out, Alabama needs better than it got at the position in 2024 or next season will be just as disappointing - if not more - than this year was.