Alabama’s Return to Dominance in College Football
In the early years of the 12-team College Football Playoff, Alabama exemplified a particular type of “contender.” The expanded format created a unique situation reminiscent of the “bubble teams” seen in March Madness. In 2024, the Crimson Tide were just on the outside looking in, and had they made the playoff, they likely wouldn’t have made a significant impact—this being a team that had just lost by 21 points to a struggling Oklahoma squad. The following year, the Tide barely squeaked into the playoff, though their entry felt undeserved after suffering a 21-point loss in the SEC Championship and ending the season with two additional losses. Ultimately, Alabama’s national relevance was basically fueled by the divisive nature of the playoff format.
But that narrative has shifted. Alabama is back on top. As they gear up to face Georgia in Tuscaloosa this Saturday, it’s clear that there are currently no teams that are obviously superior to them.
At first glance, the 5-0 Tide appear only a slight improvement over Kalen DeBoer’s past two teams, which both started with 4-1 records. Last year’s squad had a rocky start, losing a tough game to Florida State, but later showed promise with several strong performances, including key victories against tough opponents like Georgia and Vanderbilt. Likewise, the 2024 team took a rough loss to Vanderbilt in its fifth game but could at least point to a significant comeback win over Georgia, the game where they might have made a memorable mark.
This year’s team, however, showcases two substantial differences:
- Keelon Russell has emerged as a standout. With one of the top quarterbacks in the nation, his skills are even more remarkable than those of previous stars like Tua Tagovailoa or Bryce Young.
- The issues with rushing offense and rush defense that plagued the team last year have been resolved.
A Alabama squad like this definitely has the potential to contend for a championship.
Russell is undeniably the focal point. After a pre-season competition with Austin Mack that wasn’t settled until late August, he’s been a standout. He’s in the running for the Heisman, although competing against Jeremiah Smith could be a hurdle. He possesses that special quality where the ball just seems to leave his hand differently, combining speed with precise placement that gives his receivers a genuine chance to excel. During his impressive performance against Mississippi State, he showcased all these qualities.
A team with a quarterback of Russell’s caliber can’t easily be counted out. Yet, he’s not the only factor that marks the transformation from last year’s underwhelming Tide to the powerhouse they are now. Last season, it was evident early on that despite a respectable win-loss record, Alabama needed to improve their running game and ability to stop opposing teams, which ultimately cost them the title. They struggled to achieve even 4 yards per carry until the Iron Bowl, an astonishingly late point in the season, and faced challenges against teams like Georgia and Vanderbilt.
The Tide had a tough stretch last year where they either had lower offensive success rates than their rivals or barely won games. They managed to secure victories, but it often felt like they were escaping defeat, and this lack of dominance led to a harsh reality check in both the SEC Championship and the playoff. In December, they were significantly outrushed by Georgia and Indiana, suffering a combined loss of 66-10. They simply weren’t serious contenders.
This year’s team, however, is serious when it comes to both rushing and defending against the run. In three of their first four power conference games, Alabama asserted dominance in the rushing department, except in a blowout win over South Carolina. They’ve consistently maintained at least a 10 percentage-point advantage in net success rate each week. While Russell’s emergence as a star is significant, it’s also encouraging that three of the Tide’s running backs—Daniel Hill, Trae’shawn Brown, and EJ Crowell—are averaging over 5 yards per carry, with Crowell impressively hitting 7.8 yards.
This turnaround can be attributed to DeBoer, who faced criticism during his initial seasons. The offensive line, which had caused numerous problems last year, looks much improved under the guidance of new position coach Adrian Klemm, who seems to be maximizing the potential of a group that made a few risky personnel choices. Among these was the notable transfer of a starting center from FCS Cal Poly, Racin Delgatty, who has performed well. Similarly, the defensive line has made considerable strides, with tackle Devan Thompkins emerging as a top interior pressure creator, while outside linebacker Yhonzae Pierre, despite limited sacks, frequently disrupts plays in the backfield. This is what you expect from a team poised to vie for a title.
Concerns have been raised about Alabama not maintaining a high-caliber roster budget, but it seems they haven’t run out of talent in recent years. By recruitment rankings, DeBoer’s earlier teams actually topped the charts, but talent distribution was uneven, leading to gaps on both lines and unexpected underperformance from key players. This current Tide team boasts one of the top rosters in the nation, and crucially, their advantageous players include key positions like quarterback and several linemen. So, it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on what Alabama does next.
