Alabama: Poised for a Bounce-Back Season
I have Alabama at No. 5 in my preseason Top 25, and after a debut season under Kalen DeBoer that fell short of the program’s dynastic standards, the Crimson Tide are positioned for a major resurgence. Three crucial offseason wins—retaining offensive mastermind Ryan Grubb, signing another elite recruiting class, and convincing eight potential NFL draft picks to return—have set the stage for Alabama to reclaim its spot atop the SEC and make a run for the College Football Playoff.
2024: A Season of Highs and Lows
The transition season under Coach DeBoer was a rollercoaster. The high point was an all-time classic in Tuscaloosa, where Alabama started 28-0 and held off the comeback to beat #1 Georgia in a thriller. That victory had the Tide looking like legitimate national title contenders.
But the momentum didn’t last. Just a week later, they suffered a stunning loss to Vanderbilt for the first time since 1976. Two more losses, a toss-up at Tennessee and an embarrassing 24-3 defeat at Oklahoma, knocked them out of the playoff race. The season ended with a bowl loss to Michigan, snapping Alabama’s historic, all-time FBS record of 16 consecutive 10-win seasons. For a program that measures success in national titles, it was a failure.
Offense: Reloading for an Explosive Return
The biggest offseason victory was the return of offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, who briefly left for the NFL before rejoining DeBoer. With Jalen Milroe off to the pros, Grubb will oversee a three-man quarterback competition between experienced backup Ty Simpson, former five-star Austin Mack, and incoming five-star Keelon Russell. *Just this week, Ty Simpson has been named the starter, so we will see how the season plays out in his hands.*
While six receivers transferred out, the Tide retained their top two in All-SEC performer Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard, and added 6’4” transfer Isaiah Horton from Miami to create another dynamic group of weapons. At running back, Jam Miller takes over the lead role, ready to carry a larger workload. The offensive line, which struggled at times last year, returns standout tackle Kadyn Proctor and center Parker Brailsford, and is expected to take a major step forward in its second year under this staff.
Defense: Back to the Alabama Standard
After a statistical collapse against Vanderbilt, the defense showed improvement but still lagged behind the elite standard set over the previous decade. Now, with a second-year coordinator bonus and a massive amount of returning talent, this unit is poised for a return to dominance.
The defensive line is a major strength, with veterans Tim Keenan, Jah-Marien Latham, and LT Overton all returning for a final season. At linebacker, three-year starter Deontae Lawson is back to lead the unit, while the secondary returns an incredible five players with starting experience, including the corner duo of Domani Jackson and Zabien Brown. This is an unusually veteran-laden defense for a “Dynasty Tier” program, giving them a significant edge in experience.
The Schedule and the Path
The SEC is never easy, but this Alabama team is built for the grind. With a more stable coaching situation and a roster full of returning leaders, they are well-equipped to navigate a tough schedule. Playing Georgia, South Carolina, and Missouri on the road are all guaranteed to make or break the playoff contention this year.
Why I’m So Confident
Here’s why I’m picking Alabama to be the SEC runner-up and return to the Playoff:
- A second-year coach bonus for Kalen DeBoer and his staff.
- The return of elite offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.
- The nation’s #1 five-year recruiting average, providing unparalleled depth.
- Eight key starters who returned instead of declaring for the NFL Draft.
- A roster hungry for a bounce-back season.
This is a program built on championships, and the taste of a “down” year will only fuel their fire. At No. 5 in my preseason rankings, I expect Alabama to snap Georgia’s home winning streak, play Texas for the SEC title, and firmly re-establish themselves in the College Football Playoff.
