Coach Kalen DeBoer enters his second season as the Head Coach at Alabama with a mission to meet the Bama Standard, which embodies the likeness of Coach Bryant and Coach Saban, presented to future Crimson Tide players to represent. Last season, Alabama didn’t live up to that standard. The Crimson Tide finished the season short of the College Football Playoff and with an overall record of 9-4, with a five and three SEC record to follow, one of those three losses coming to the Tennessee Volunteers inside the haunted halls of Neyland Stadium. As one has to do when he’s the Head Coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Coach DeBoer spent the offseason building Alabama back to a team that resembles that of a National Championship contender, even going so far as to hire one of the best offensive minds in the country by luring Coach Grubb away from the Seattle Seahawks to lead the Crimson Tide offensive unit into the fall of 2025.

Coach Deboer knew he needed to send a clear message to the Crimson Tide faithful last week in Atlanta as Alabama took to the podium for their day at the 2025 SEC Kickoff. A clear message of accountability while being upfront about embracing the Bama standard of winning football games and competing for national championships.

Alabama will have a new look on the offensive side of the ball at quarterback, as Jalen Milroe had the opportunity to earn an NFL Draft pick. Still, the replacement for him will fit the scheme that offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb looks to implement this season. There’ll be a quarterback battle, but if the season started today, Ty Simpson would likely be the starter for Alabama when they face Florida State on August 30th. From there, Alabama has Ryan Williams back at wide receiver, combined with Germie Bernard, giving the Crimson Tide an explosive offensive unit that has the potential to light up the scoreboards of the Southeastern Conference.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Crimson Tide returns seven starters from last season. On the defensive line, Tim Keenan returns for his senior season. In the middle at linebacker, Oua Russaw and Deontae Lawson look to hold down the defensive unit for the Crimson Tide with an iron fist. In the secondary, Domani Jackson and Zabien Brown are back at corner, while Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb return for their junior seasons at safety. Defensive Coordinator Kane Womack will look to improve his defense from last season with the consistency that seven returners add to the Crimson Tide unit.

With non-conference games against Florida and Wisconsin in two out of the first three weeks, the playoff hopes for Alabama will either be alive and well by Southeastern Conference play, or the panic button might get pushed when the Crimson Tide travel to Athens on September 27th to take on the Georgia Bulldogs.

Alabama opens the season on August 30th as they travel to Doak Campbell Stadium to take on the Florida State Seminoles, with Coach Mike Norvell looking to start his revenge tour with a season-defining win over the Crimson Tide.

Photo Credits- Alabama Football on X