Where Alabama Places in the Too-Early College Football Top 25 by Sports Illustrated

As the 2025 college football season begins to take shape, one of the first major indicators of where teams stand in the eyes of the national media is the release of the Too-Early Top 25 rankings. Published by various outlets, including Sports Illustrated, this list offers a preliminary look at which teams are expected to contend for national titles, conference championships, and playoff spots. Despite the unpredictability of the offseason, the rankings provide a glimpse into how experts view each program’s potential heading into the new season.

For Alabama Crimson Tide fans, the release of these rankings is always met with intense interest. As one of college football’s most storied programs, Alabama has long been a fixture in the Top 10, often securing a spot among the nation’s elite teams year after year. Under Nick Saban, the program experienced sustained excellence, but with a new era under Kalen DeBoer in 2025, the expectations have shifted. For the first time in over a decade, Alabama finds itself in a new and unfamiliar position in the rankings. This article will break down where Alabama places in the Too-Early Top 25 rankings by Sports Illustrated, why they landed in that spot, and what factors could shape their journey to the 2025 season.

Where Alabama Lands in the Too-Early Top 25

In Sports Illustrated’s Too-Early Top 25, Alabama finds itself ranked No. 6, a notable but perhaps not unexpected position given the uncertainty surrounding the program’s future under Kalen DeBoer. Alabama’s spot at No. 6 reflects both the program’s history of dominance and the challenges it faces moving forward. While the Crimson Tide remain a force in recruiting and have a roster full of elite talent, there are questions surrounding the team’s ability to remain a true national championship contender in 2025.

This ranking is somewhat of a departure from the days when Alabama was almost a guaranteed top contender for the College Football Playoff (CFP), regularly appearing at No. 1 or No. 2 in the preseason polls. In 2025, however, it’s clear that Alabama is in the process of adapting to a new reality—one in which they must prove themselves all over again.

The Impact of Kalen DeBoer’s First Year

The most significant change in Alabama’s landscape heading into 2025 is the arrival of Kalen DeBoer, who took over as head coach following the departure of Nick Saban. DeBoer, known for his offensive prowess, faces the daunting task of continuing Alabama’s legacy while making his own mark on the program. His offense-centric philosophy marks a shift from the more traditional, defense-first approach that Alabama has been known for under Saban. DeBoer has shown success in previous stops—most notably at Fresno State and Washington—but leading a program as big as Alabama brings a new level of pressure.

For Alabama, DeBoer’s first season is critical. The transition from Saban’s well-established system to DeBoer’s offensive style presents a period of adjustment. While there’s a great deal of excitement surrounding DeBoer’s potential, his success in the SEC, particularly in high-stakes games against teams like Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee, remains unproven. His ability to instill discipline, implement a new offensive system, and handle the immense pressure will be pivotal for Alabama in 2025.

This uncertainty surrounding the coaching transition is a key reason why Alabama lands at No. 6 in the Too-Early Top 25. While they still boast a roster full of talented players, there are significant questions about how quickly DeBoer can establish his identity as head coach and whether the team can maintain the level of dominance that Saban built.

Roster Overview: Talent Still Abounds in Tuscaloosa

Despite the coaching change, Alabama’s roster remains filled with top-tier talent, which plays a significant role in their high placement in the rankings. The Crimson Tide have consistently ranked among the best recruiting programs in the country, and even in the aftermath of Saban’s departure, they still possess a wealth of elite prospects.

Quarterback Position

One of the biggest areas of focus heading into 2025 is the quarterback position. In 2024, Alabama’s offense showed flashes of brilliance but also had moments of inconsistency, particularly at quarterback. Tyler Buchner, a transfer from Notre Dame, was expected to provide stability at the position, but his performance was uneven throughout the season. With DeBoer’s offensive system relying heavily on quarterback play, the team’s success in 2025 will depend on the development of Buchner or the emergence of another option. Jalen Milroe, who has had some experience under center, could also be a key figure if he is able to step up in a more prominent role.

Whoever ends up starting at quarterback, Alabama will likely have a talented, albeit somewhat untested, signal-caller leading the offense. While this provides some uncertainty, it also offers the potential for a breakout season, as DeBoer’s system has been known to elevate quarterbacks who are able to execute it effectively.

Running Back and Wide Receiver Depth

Another area where Alabama still excels is in the running back and wide receiver rooms. Players like Jase McClellan at running back and Isaiah Bond and Jermaine Burton at wide receiver will help lead the charge in DeBoer’s offensive attack. Alabama has become known for its ability to develop elite playmakers at these positions, and the program is no different in 2025.

Alabama’s offensive line, though somewhat inconsistent in recent years, remains a solid unit, and if they can get back to their traditional dominance up front, it will free up the skilled playmakers to do what they do best.

Defense: A Continued Strength Despite Changes

Alabama’s defense remains one of the most formidable in college football, even with changes in coaching and personnel. The Crimson Tide will return several key players on the defensive line, including Dallas Turner and Jaheim Oatis, who are expected to be among the best defensive linemen in the SEC. Linebacker Henry To’oTo’o, a veteran leader, will also be crucial to Alabama’s defensive success in 2025. Under DeBoer’s leadership, the defense will likely remain a staple of the team, with a focus on stopping the run and generating pressure on the quarterback.

While DeBoer’s emphasis may be on the offense, Alabama’s defense will still be one of the program’s strongest assets in 2025. The challenge will be ensuring that the defense can remain as dominant as it was under Saban while still adapting to the new offensive philosophy.

Competition in the SEC and the National Landscape

The SEC, as always, presents Alabama with stiff competition. Teams like Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee are all expected to be formidable foes in 2025, with Georgia continuing its dominance as the reigning national champion and LSU and Tennessee showing significant improvement in recent years. The SEC remains the toughest conference in college football, and even with a strong roster, Alabama will need to be at its best to win the conference title and earn a spot in the College Football Playoff.

While Georgia and LSU are seen as the front-runners in the SEC, Alabama still has the talent to challenge for the top spot, especially if they can quickly adapt to DeBoer’s system and see improvements at quarterback. The Crimson Tide’s annual matchups with teams like Georgia and LSU will be critical in determining their place in the national rankings as the season progresses.

Nationally, Alabama will face tough competition from other elite programs, including Michigan, Ohio State, and Clemson, all of whom will enter 2025 with championship aspirations. Despite this, Alabama remains one of the most respected programs in college football, and their No. 6 ranking reflects their continued standing as a contender.

Looking Ahead: Can Alabama Live Up to Expectations?

While Alabama’s No. 6 ranking in the Too-Early Top 25 by Sports Illustrated is impressive, it’s clear that the program is in a period of transition. The departure of Nick Saban marks the end of an era, and Kalen DeBoer will have to prove himself as the next leader of the Crimson Tide. The program still has the talent, resources, and infrastructure to remain one of the nation’s elite teams, but the challenges in 2025 will be considerable.

For Alabama, the key to success will be the development of the quarterback position, the ability to adjust to DeBoer’s offensive philosophy, and maintaining a dominant defense. If the Crimson Tide can navigate these challenges and continue to recruit at an elite level, they will remain a force to be reckoned with in the SEC and on the national stage.

The 2025 season will be pivotal in determining whether Alabama can live up to its preseason ranking and reclaim its position as one of the top programs in college football. The road ahead is filled with questions, but the talent and legacy of Alabama football provide plenty of reason for optimism.