Is Alabama football performing at its peak? Is Ohio State expected to construct a 2025 roster? Gay

Alabama and Ohio State have both been dominant forces in college football, historically and in recent years. Both programs are routinely ranked among the top teams in the nation, and they are often at the forefront of recruiting, coaching, and player development. However, the question remains: is Alabama football performing at its peak, and is Ohio State expected to construct a formidable roster for the 2025 season? These are questions that have serious implications for the landscape of college football, especially given both teams’ long-standing legacies of excellence. To analyze these situations, it is crucial to evaluate both programs in terms of their performance, the challenges they face, and the expectations for their respective rosters moving forward.

Alabama Football: A Program at the Crossroads?

Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide has been a beacon of success in college football since the late 2000s. Under Saban’s leadership, Alabama has won multiple national championships, competed in numerous College Football Playoffs (CFP), and built one of the most consistently dominant programs in the history of the sport. However, even the most successful programs can experience challenges, and there is a growing sense that Alabama may not be performing at its peak—especially when compared to the dynasty years that the program experienced under Saban.

Recent Performance: A New Era for Alabama?

While Alabama has remained a top-tier program, recent seasons have shown that the team is facing an increasingly competitive landscape in college football. The Crimson Tide has struggled in ways that they have rarely encountered during their dominant run. The 2024 season, in particular, saw Alabama’s first loss in the SEC Championship Game under Saban, as they fell to Georgia. The loss, while not catastrophic, marked a shift in the perception of the Alabama program. After years of dominance, it raised questions about whether Alabama could still claim its place at the very top.

One area where Alabama has felt the sting of competition is in the quarterback position. Traditionally, Alabama has had a stable of elite quarterbacks, with names like Tua Tagovailoa, Jalen Hurts, and Mac Jones leading the charge. However, the Crimson Tide has struggled to find consistent play at the position since Bryce Young’s departure to the NFL. Despite having highly touted recruits, including Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson, the team has seen inconsistent performances at the quarterback position, which has been a significant challenge.

Additionally, Alabama’s recruiting efforts, while still impressive, have been met with rising competition from other programs. Ohio State, Georgia, and others have made significant strides in recruiting, narrowing the talent gap that Alabama had previously enjoyed. The talent war has intensified, and while Alabama remains one of the top recruiting programs in the country, it no longer has the same stranglehold on top-tier talent that it once did.

Saban’s ability to adapt to the changing landscape of college football will be a key factor in determining whether Alabama can return to its peak form. The expanded College Football Playoff starting in 2024 may provide more opportunities for Alabama to showcase its talent on a national stage. Still, the program will have to overcome challenges from both within the SEC and from other national powerhouses.

Coaching and Player Development

One of the key components of Alabama’s sustained success under Saban has been his commitment to player development. Saban has always been known for his ability to maximize the talent on his roster, turning five-star recruits into polished NFL prospects. Alabama’s success in developing players for the next level has been a major reason why the program has continued to dominate, even in an era where parity is increasing in college football.

However, coaching turnover has been a more prominent issue for Alabama in recent years. While Saban remains a constant, there has been a notable amount of turnover among his assistant coaches. This can sometimes lead to inconsistency in terms of player development, as new coaches may have different philosophies and approaches. This turnover, combined with the heightened level of competition from other top programs, makes it more challenging for Alabama to maintain the same level of dominance it once had.

While Alabama still recruits elite talent and has a robust player development system in place, these external challenges—both within the SEC and nationally—are real hurdles to the program’s continued peak performance.

Ohio State: A Program on the Rise

As Alabama faces challenges in maintaining its peak, Ohio State appears poised to construct a formidable roster for the 2025 season. The Buckeyes have long been a powerhouse in college football, and with the leadership of head coach Ryan Day, they are setting the stage for what could be another successful era in Columbus.

Recent Performance: Strong But Not Perfect

Ohio State has been consistently competitive over the last few seasons, though they have come up just short in key moments. In the 2024 season, Ohio State made it to the College Football Playoff but was eliminated early in a tough matchup. Despite the early exit, the program remains a top contender for national titles. With a strong recruiting pipeline and Day’s offensive brilliance, Ohio State remains one of the top teams in college football.

The Buckeyes’ biggest challenge has been defeating rival Michigan in recent years. Michigan has been a formidable opponent in the Big Ten, and while Ohio State remains a national contender, the loss to Michigan in 2024 further cemented the rivalry’s intensity. Ohio State will need to address this issue in 2025 if they are to seriously challenge for a national championship.

Ohio State has also faced issues at quarterback, particularly with finding the right player to replace C.J. Stroud, one of the program’s all-time greats. While players like Kyle McCord and Devin Brown are talented, the uncertainty surrounding the quarterback position has been a topic of discussion. If the Buckeyes can stabilize the quarterback position and continue to develop their roster, they will be poised to be a national title contender in 2025.

Recruiting and Roster Construction for 2025

Looking ahead to 2025, Ohio State is expected to construct one of the most talented rosters in the country. The program has been a major player in recruiting, and with Ryan Day at the helm, Ohio State is likely to continue attracting elite talent. The Buckeyes have been particularly strong in recruiting skill players like wide receivers, running backs, and quarterbacks—positions that are crucial to Day’s offensive system.

Ohio State’s 2025 roster is expected to be loaded with talent, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. The Buckeyes have several five-star recruits on the way, including players like wide receiver Mylan Graham and quarterback Austin Novosad, who should make an immediate impact. Additionally, the program has been bolstering its defensive ranks, as Ohio State has made significant strides in improving on that side of the ball. The defense, often a weakness in previous years, has improved under defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, and with continued development, Ohio State’s defense could be one of the best in the nation in 2025.

Moreover, Ohio State’s ability to adapt to changes in the college football landscape—particularly with the expanded College Football Playoff—will be a key factor in their chances of success. The Buckeyes have consistently recruited well and developed talent, but the expanded playoff provides more opportunities for teams to claim national championships. Ohio State will need to make the most of these opportunities and remain competitive with other programs like Alabama, Georgia, and Michigan.

Key Areas of Focus for Ohio State in 2025

While Ohio State is in a strong position for the 2025 season, there are key areas of focus for the program to address:

1. Quarterback Play: With uncertainty at quarterback in 2024, finding a stable and elite quarterback for 2025 will be critical. The Buckeyes cannot afford another year of inconsistency at this position if they are to compete for a national title.
2. Rivalry with Michigan: Ohio State will need to address its struggles against Michigan. The rivalry is as intense as ever, and Michigan’s rise as a national power adds a layer of urgency for Ohio State to regain control in the Big Ten.
3. Defensive Improvement: Although Ohio State’s defense has shown signs of progress, it still needs to improve to compete with the best offenses in the country. The defense will be key to Ohio State’s success in 2025.
4. Coaching Continuity: As Ryan Day continues to build his program, keeping coaching staff continuity and adapting to the modern era of college football—particularly with the name, image, and likeness (NIL) landscape—is crucial for sustained success.

 Is Alabama Football Performing at its Peak? Is Ohio State Expected to Build a 2025 Roster to Compete?

While Alabama remains one of the top teams in college football, it is clear that the program is not performing at the same peak level it once did. The loss to Georgia in the 2024 SEC Championship and the quarterback uncertainty are just some of the signs that Alabama is facing increasing competition, both in the SEC and nationally. However, Nick Saban’s ability to adapt and the Crimson Tide’s strong recruiting efforts mean that Alabama is not far from returning to its peak form. The expanded playoff could provide Alabama with more opportunities to assert its dominance on the national stage, but it will require a more consistent and dynamic performance.

On the other hand, Ohio State is well-positioned to build a roster that could challenge for a national championship in 2025. With a talented incoming class, strong recruiting pipelines, and a head coach in Ryan Day who is capable of getting the most out of his players, Ohio State’s 2025 roster looks poised for greatness. However, the Buckeyes will need to stabilize the quarterback position, improve defensively, and continue to succeed in the critical games against rivals like Michigan.

In the ever-changing landscape of college football, both Alabama and Ohio State will need to continually adapt to stay at the top. For Alabama, this may mean navigating the challenges of rising competition, while for Ohio State, it could be seizing the opportunities that come with an incredibly talented roster and strong coaching staff. The 2025 season could be a defining year for both programs.