Five forecasts for the 2025 Alabama football season that are far too early

As the 2024 college football season winds down and Alabama’s prospects for the future continue to look bright, the anticipation for the 2025 season is already building. It’s easy to fall into the trap of making predictions, even when there are still months of recruiting, offseason workouts, and team developments ahead. Given the Crimson Tide’s dominance under head coach Nick Saban, it’s tempting to forecast that Alabama will continue its reign of success and maintain its status as one of the nation’s top football programs. However, with so many variables at play, some of these predictions for the 2025 season may be a little too early, even for a team as consistently successful as Alabama.

Here are five bold and far-too-early forecasts for Alabama’s 2025 football season that may be a bit premature, but intriguing nonetheless:

1. Alabama Will Have a New Starting Quarterback in 2025

It seems almost inevitable that Alabama’s quarterback position will once again be under the microscope as the 2025 season approaches. With the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback competition, many people might predict that a new face will be leading the team under center by the start of the 2025 season. Some fans and analysts already envision a future where the Crimson Tide fields a fresh, dynamic playmaker — someone perhaps from the incoming 2025 class or a transfer quarterback ready to take the reins.

As of now, Alabama will be transitioning from a mix of veteran quarterbacks and highly rated recruits from recent cycles. Jalen Milroe, who has seen starting time in 2023 and 2024, is expected to be one of the leaders under center. However, as the 2025 season looms, there could be serious competition from rising stars like Ty Simpson, or an incoming highly touted recruit like 2025 QB Caleb Thompson, who has the potential to compete for the starting spot right away. And, let’s not forget the impact that the transfer portal can have. With the ever-evolving landscape of college football, the chance of Alabama bringing in another seasoned quarterback from a different program cannot be ruled out.

That said, it may be a bit too soon to guarantee the change. Saban’s trust in experienced quarterbacks has always played a pivotal role, so unless someone like Thompson shows immediate promise or the 2024 season proves catastrophic for Milroe or Simpson, it’s possible that Alabama’s quarterback battle won’t result in the drastic change many are predicting. It’s just as likely that Alabama will continue to build its offense around an experienced QB who knows the system and can execute it at a high level.

2. Alabama Will Make the 2025 College Football Playoff (CFP) Championship Game

It’s safe to say that any program with Alabama’s pedigree and championship aspirations will likely be a contender for the CFP championship, especially under Nick Saban’s leadership. With a recruiting class that’s continuously ranked among the top in the country, Alabama will have the talent to compete for a national title. However, this forecast might be far too optimistic.

The 2025 College Football Playoff will feature some of the most competitive teams in the nation, and Alabama’s path to the championship will not be as easy as it has been in previous seasons. The SEC remains as formidable as ever, with powerhouses like Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee continuing to make strides. While Alabama typically finds a way to navigate the SEC gauntlet, there will inevitably be challenges in the conference, especially with new coaching staff changes and emerging stars at rival programs.

Moreover, the introduction of more expansion into the playoff format could further muddy the waters, with a larger field potentially making the road to the championship even more difficult. Alabama’s regular-season schedule is also likely to feature tough matchups, including conference and non-conference games against other top-tier teams.

The team’s success will hinge on its quarterback play, offensive line development, and defensive consistency. While Alabama has all the pieces in place to make another title run, it’s a bit premature to confidently predict that they will be in the championship game. With so many unknowns, this is one forecast that could easily prove inaccurate by the time the 2025 season rolls around.

3. Alabama’s Defense Will Be the Best in College Football

The defense has long been a cornerstone of Alabama’s success, and with the addition of key players like five-star defensive back Jaxon Taylor and rising stars across the front seven, it’s tempting to forecast that Alabama’s defense will be the best in the nation by the 2025 season. Nick Saban has built his dynasty on a rock-solid defense, and the Crimson Tide’s ability to reload year after year on that side of the ball is one of the program’s defining features.

While this is certainly a possibility, declaring that Alabama’s defense will be the best in college football is premature at this stage. For one, many of the key defensive players expected to make a significant impact in 2025 have yet to even step foot on campus. There is still uncertainty around how well Alabama’s defensive recruits will transition to college football, and whether they will be able to handle the high expectations placed upon them. Additionally, the SEC remains home to some of the most potent offenses in the country, including those of teams like Georgia, LSU, and Ole Miss. For Alabama’s defense to truly be considered the best in college football, it will need to shut down some of the most dynamic offensive units in the nation.

The biggest concern may come from the front seven, where Alabama will be replacing key players who have been anchors for the defense in recent years. While talented recruits are certainly on the horizon, it will take time for the new blood to develop and make a significant impact. The secondary could face similar challenges, as they’ll need to replace players who were vital to Alabama’s success.

While Alabama’s defense will certainly be among the nation’s elite, predicting it will be the absolute best in 2025 is an overly optimistic forecast that will likely be difficult to live up to.

4. Alabama Will Dominate the SEC West in 2025

The SEC West has long been one of the most competitive divisions in college football. Alabama has historically reigned supreme over the division, but with the rise of teams like LSU, Ole Miss, and Arkansas, maintaining that dominance has become increasingly difficult. As we look ahead to 2025, it may seem natural to assume that Alabama will continue its reign as the undisputed king of the SEC West, but such a forecast may be premature.

Although Alabama will likely remain one of the top teams in the division, there are numerous other SEC West programs that could challenge them for supremacy. LSU, under Brian Kelly, has shown significant improvement, and with top-tier recruiting and a strong coaching staff, the Tigers will continue to be a threat in the division. Ole Miss, led by Lane Kiffin, has also become a formidable opponent, and Mississippi State and Arkansas are programs that have shown signs of growth.

While Alabama has historically been the measuring stick for success in the SEC West, the gap between them and other programs in the division is narrowing. Alabama will have to face these increasingly competitive teams while also managing its own internal challenges. While they’re likely to be a contender for the division title, predicting an outright dominance over the SEC West by 2025 might be too much to expect, especially given the level of competition.

5. Alabama Will Win the 2025 Heisman Trophy

With Alabama’s ongoing history of producing Heisman Trophy candidates, it’s not surprising that many people may predict that the Crimson Tide will have another Heisman winner in 2025. Whether it’s a star quarterback, a running back like Jaylen Williams, or a defensive standout, Alabama seems to have someone who could contend for college football’s most prestigious individual award.

However, predicting Alabama will win the Heisman in 2025 may be too early to call. The Heisman race is often unpredictable, and while Alabama has had some incredible talents in recent years, including past Heisman winners like Derrick Henry and DeVonta Smith, claiming that a Crimson Tide player will take home the trophy in 2025 is risky. For one, the development of future Heisman candidates is still uncertain. A quarterback like Caleb Thompson may emerge as a candidate, but he will need to show immediate growth and consistency in the SEC, which is far from guaranteed.

Additionally, the Heisman is often shaped by national narratives, and a player from another program could steal the spotlight. Alabama’s schedule and competition within the SEC will undoubtedly be tough, and even with elite talent, the Heisman race could come down to factors beyond just individual performance.