The poor ranking of Alabama football in this early 2025 Top 25 will astound you.

When the preseason Top 25 rankings are released each year, there are certain expectations that come with the territory, especially when it comes to a powerhouse program like Alabama football. The Crimson Tide, one of the most storied programs in college football history, has set the bar for excellence under the guidance of Nick Saban. With a combination of championship pedigree, high-profile recruits, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Alabama football has consistently been ranked among the top teams in the nation.

However, when the early 2025 Top 25 rankings were released, Alabama’s position left many fans and analysts scratching their heads. The Crimson Tide were ranked far lower than expected, and their placement in the rankings caused a stir across the college football landscape. To understand why Alabama’s ranking was so surprising, we need to take a closer look at several factors that have contributed to this puzzling development.

A Legacy of Excellence

To comprehend the magnitude of Alabama’s preseason ranking, it’s essential to understand the program’s legacy. The Crimson Tide are synonymous with college football success. With 18 national championships, 34 conference titles, and countless NFL draft picks, Alabama has consistently been at the top of the college football food chain. Since Nick Saban took over as head coach in 2007, the program has been a model of consistency and dominance, with multiple national championships and top-tier talent coming through the program year after year.

Saban has been instrumental in building the program into a juggernaut, with Alabama regularly competing for national titles and maintaining a place in the College Football Playoff conversation. Alabama’s dominance has been driven by a number of factors: elite recruiting classes, exceptional coaching, and a powerful brand that draws in the best players in the country.

In fact, Alabama has finished in the Top 10 of the Associated Press Poll for nearly every season since Saban took the reins. Even in years where the team may have suffered a loss or two, they were still considered among the most dangerous teams in college football.

The Shift in 2025: A Shocking Preseason Ranking

That brings us to the 2025 preseason rankings, which left many college football fans and analysts stunned. For the first time in over a decade, Alabama found itself outside of the Top 5, ranked a surprising 9th in the early poll. This sudden drop in ranking raised questions and caused a sense of disbelief across the college football community. How could a program with such an impressive resume fall so far? What factors contributed to this drop?

To answer these questions, it’s necessary to dive deeper into the specifics of Alabama’s recent performance and the competitive landscape of college football.

The Quarterback Situation

One of the most significant factors contributing to Alabama’s preseason ranking in 2025 is the quarterback situation. For many years, Nick Saban’s Alabama teams have been defined by their stellar quarterback play. From Greg McElroy to AJ McCarron to Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones, Alabama has been fortunate to have standout quarterbacks who were capable of leading the team to victories on the grandest stage.

However, in recent years, there has been uncertainty at the quarterback position. While Jalen Milroe showed flashes of brilliance, his inconsistency in big games raised doubts about whether he could be the answer for the Tide. Despite his athleticism and strong arm, Milroe has struggled with accuracy and decision-making, particularly in high-pressure moments.

In 2024, Alabama faced a quarterback competition throughout the season, with Ty Simpson entering the fray. Simpson, a highly touted recruit, was expected to be the future of the program, but the competition for the starting job never fully resolved. This uncertainty in the most important position on the field played a significant role in Alabama’s underwhelming performance last season, leading to a drop in expectations heading into 2025.

Loss of Key Playmakers

Another reason for Alabama’s surprising ranking is the departure of key playmakers from the 2024 season. Alabama has long been known for producing NFL-caliber talent, and the 2024 season was no different. Several top-tier players, particularly on offense and defense, made the leap to the professional ranks.

On offense, Jahmyr Gibbs, one of the best running backs in the nation, left for the NFL, leaving a significant hole in the running game. The team also lost Jermaine Burton, one of their top receiving threats, who had been a key contributor in previous seasons. In the trenches, Alabama said goodbye to some of their best offensive linemen, further depleting a unit that had already faced challenges in recent seasons.

Defensively, Alabama also lost several key players, including standout linebacker Will Anderson Jr., who had been a dominant force for the Tide over the past several seasons. While Alabama has long been known for its defense, the loss of these key players contributed to the sense that the Tide might be in a rebuilding phase in 2025. While Alabama has a reputation for reloading and bringing in top-tier recruits, the transition to a new crop of talent can take time.

Increased Competition in the SEC

While Alabama has long been the gold standard in the SEC, the level of competition in the conference has grown significantly in recent years. The SEC remains the most dominant conference in college football, but other teams have risen to challenge Alabama’s supremacy.

In particular, Georgia has emerged as the new powerhouse in the SEC, with head coach Kirby Smart leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back national championships in 2023 and 2024. The Bulldogs’ dominant defense and high-powered offense have put them at the top of the SEC, and they are now considered the program to beat. Alabama has struggled to keep pace with Georgia in recent years, and this shift in power has certainly contributed to the Crimson Tide’s drop in ranking.

Other programs like LSU, Tennessee, and Ole Miss have also become more competitive, further complicating Alabama’s path to the top of the SEC. These programs are recruiting at a high level and developing talent that can compete with the best in the country. As a result, Alabama is no longer the only dominant force in the SEC, and its struggles in the conference are reflected in the preseason rankings.

Coaching and Program Direction

There’s no question that Nick Saban is one of the greatest coaches in college football history. His track record speaks for itself, and his ability to adapt and rebuild Alabama year after year has been a hallmark of his tenure. However, there are whispers in some corners of the college football world that the program may be entering a new phase under Saban’s leadership.

In recent years, Saban has faced criticism for his inability to keep up with the changing landscape of college football, particularly in terms of recruiting and adapting to new offensive philosophies. While Alabama’s defense remains one of the best in the country, the offensive game plan has been viewed as somewhat predictable at times. Additionally, the growing influence of the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies has created new challenges for Saban and other college coaches, and some wonder whether Saban’s age and experience will allow him to adapt to these changes.

The lack of a clear vision for the future, coupled with the departure of some top-tier assistants who had been key to Alabama’s success, has created an air of uncertainty around the program. The coaching staff will need to continue to adapt to these new realities if they want to maintain Alabama’s place among the elite programs in college football.

Looking Ahead: Can Alabama Bounce Back?

Despite the early 2025 preseason ranking, there is no doubt that Alabama still has the potential to compete at the highest level. The team boasts a wealth of talent, including a strong recruiting class that will help fill gaps left by departing players. If the quarterback situation can be resolved and the new crop of players can step up, Alabama has the talent to climb the rankings once again.

Additionally, with Nick Saban at the helm, there is always the possibility of a turnaround. Saban’s ability to develop players and adapt to new challenges is well documented, and if Alabama can get back on track, they could very well find themselves in the playoff hunt once again by the end of the 2025 season.

The SEC remains the toughest conference in college football, but if Alabama can navigate the challenges posed by Georgia and other rivals, there’s no reason to believe that they cannot reclaim their spot at the top of college football. However, the early 2025 rankings serve as a stark reminder that nothing in college football is guaranteed—and Alabama will need to work harder than ever to reclaim their place among the elite teams in the nation.

In conclusion, the poor ranking of Alabama football in the 2025 Top 25 may be startling, but it reflects the many challenges facing the program as it enters a new era. From quarterback uncertainty to increased competition in the SEC, Alabama has its work cut out for it. However, the program’s history and the leadership of Nick Saban make it clear that the Crimson Tide is far from being out of the conversation as a national title contender.