Alabama football is excluded from the final top 25 coaches poll by five coaches.

In the ever-competitive world of college football, rankings play a crucial role in shaping the narrative of a team’s season. They determine the national perception, influence postseason positioning, and often fuel the debate among fans, analysts, and coaches alike. The final Coaches Poll is one of the most highly anticipated rankings each year, as it reflects the thoughts of the people who know the game best—the coaches.

However, this year, there was a notable controversy surrounding the final Coaches Poll: Alabama football, one of the most storied programs in college football history, found itself excluded from the top 25 by five coaches. For many, this was a shock. The Crimson Tide have long been a powerhouse in college football, and their absence from the final rankings raised questions about the state of the program, its performance during the season, and whether Alabama’s historical success continues to weigh as heavily in coaches’ minds as it has in previous years.

This exclusion, and the reasons behind it, offer a fascinating insight into the evolving landscape of college football, the expectations placed on elite programs like Alabama, and the growing influence of teams outside the traditional powerhouses. In this article, we will explore why five coaches left Alabama out of their final top 25 ballots, what this means for the Crimson Tide, and the broader implications for college football as a whole.

The Coaches Poll: A Brief Overview

The Coaches Poll is a weekly ranking of the top 25 college football teams in the United States, as voted on by a panel of head coaches. The final Coaches Poll is particularly important because it reflects the coaches’ assessments of teams at the end of the season. While the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings take precedence in terms of postseason implications, the Coaches Poll is still widely respected and provides valuable insight into how the game’s top minds view the landscape of college football.

In recent years, the Coaches Poll has been heavily scrutinized for its subjectivity, as coaches often have biases based on conferences, matchups, and personal experiences. Still, it is generally considered to be one of the most authoritative rankings due to the fact that it is compiled by the very people who are on the frontlines of college football.

Alabama’s Exclusion: What Happened?

The exclusion of Alabama from the final top 25 Coaches Poll was both surprising and puzzling for many fans and analysts. As one of the most successful and decorated programs in college football, Alabama typically finds itself near the top of most rankings, especially when a season is coming to an end. Under head coach Nick Saban, Alabama has built a legacy of dominance, winning multiple national championships and consistently contending for the College Football Playoff.

However, this year was different.

Alabama’s 2024 season was marked by inconsistency. The Crimson Tide struggled in key games and faced challenges both on offense and defense. While they boasted talent across the roster, including standout players like quarterback Jalen Milroe and linebacker Dallas Turner, the team faced several notable defeats and underwhelming performances.

One of the key issues for Alabama was its offense. Quarterback play, in particular, was a significant concern. The Crimson Tide had used multiple quarterbacks during the season, including Milroe and Ty Simpson, as they searched for stability under center. Alabama’s offense was not as explosive as it had been in years past, with struggles in both the passing and running game. While Alabama had moments of brilliance, they also had several games where they failed to meet expectations, particularly against top-tier competition.

On defense, Alabama remained formidable, but injuries and occasional lapses in execution resulted in some vulnerabilities. The Crimson Tide’s defensive line and secondary were still strong, but Alabama’s defense had an occasional tendency to give up big plays, something that had been rare in previous seasons.

In the tough SEC, these inconsistencies were especially apparent. Losses to teams like LSU and a close game against Tennessee highlighted Alabama’s vulnerability. While they had some standout victories, the overall performance throughout the season led to questions about the program’s place in the final rankings.

Why Did Five Coaches Leave Alabama Out of the Top 25?

The decision of five coaches to exclude Alabama from their final Coaches Poll ballots is intriguing, and it can be attributed to several key factors:

1. Inconsistency and Losses to Ranked Teams

One of the most significant reasons for Alabama’s exclusion from the top 25 was their inability to perform consistently against ranked opponents. The Crimson Tide’s losses to LSU and Tennessee, coupled with a lack of dominance in other games, left many coaches questioning whether Alabama was truly one of the top 25 teams in the country. While Alabama is typically given the benefit of the doubt due to its historical success, coaches are often less willing to overlook a team’s failures when it comes to rankings.

Unlike other programs that may have similar records but had more consistent performances or better wins, Alabama’s season seemed to lack the quality victories necessary to justify a spot in the top 25. While they had strong moments, the losses to teams like LSU and Tennessee (both of which were more consistent and dominant than Alabama this season) left coaches skeptical of the Crimson Tide’s true place in the rankings.

2. The Rise of Other Programs

In recent years, college football has become more competitive. Programs that were once considered secondary to the likes of Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State are now making significant strides, especially in the SEC and other power conferences. Teams such as Georgia, Tennessee, LSU, and even teams outside of the traditional powers—such as Oregon, Michigan, and Florida State—have taken the next step in their development and are now contending at a high level.

Alabama’s struggles in 2024 were seen in stark contrast to these teams’ rapid rise. Coaches who voted in the Coaches Poll may have been influenced by the growth of these programs, who are putting together more complete seasons. The fact that Alabama was not able to stay at the same level as these new contenders was likely a factor in coaches leaving them out of their rankings.

3. A Changing Landscape in College Football

Another potential reason for Alabama’s exclusion is the changing nature of college football itself. The sport has seen an increasing emphasis on recruiting and player development, with programs like Ohio State, Georgia, and LSU benefitting from new recruiting strategies and deeper rosters. Additionally, the rise of the transfer portal has allowed teams to bring in immediate contributors, further changing the balance of power.

In an era where programs are building more dynamic, all-around teams, Alabama’s relative stagnation in 2024 compared to previous seasons was noticeable. This shift in the college football landscape likely influenced the thinking of the coaches who left Alabama out of their final ballots, as they looked to reward teams who had shown more promise and consistency throughout the season.

4. The Weight of Expectations

Alabama, due to its dominant legacy, enters every season with heightened expectations. The Crimson Tide are always expected to be one of the top teams in the nation, and as a result, they face intense scrutiny when they don’t meet those expectations. While Alabama had its fair share of talent, the inconsistencies this year seemed more pronounced due to the high bar that had been set for them. Coaches may have been more critical of Alabama’s shortcomings because of the weight of the program’s history.

The Fallout: What Does This Mean for Alabama Football?

For Alabama football, being excluded from the final top 25 Coaches Poll by five coaches is certainly a blow to the program’s pride. The Crimson Tide have long prided themselves on being a perennial contender, and this season’s exclusion signals that they are facing a period of transition. The coaching staff, led by Nick Saban, will undoubtedly use this as motivation heading into the 2025 season. It’s a reminder that no program, no matter how storied, can rest on its laurels, and consistent performance is required to remain elite.

However, this exclusion also serves as a wake-up call for Alabama and the broader college football world. It’s a sign that the competitive balance is shifting, and that teams can no longer rely solely on tradition and historical success to guarantee a top ranking. Programs must continually evolve and improve to maintain their status as national contenders.

For Alabama, the path forward will involve a reassessment of their offensive and defensive strategies, as well as a closer look at the leadership within the locker room. With Saban at the helm, there is no doubt that Alabama will return to the top of the college football world eventually. However, the exclusion from the Coaches Poll is a reminder that in the new era of college football, even the most successful programs are not immune to the pressures of competition.