After its first four-loss season since 2007 — Nick Saban’s debut campaign — Alabama enters Year 2 under Kalen DeBoer with cautious optimism. Still, the pressure to get back to the College Football Playoff remains. Expert Cody Goodwin from Bama247 joined Bud Elliott on the Cover 3 College Football Summer School series to preview expectations for the Crimson Tide this fall.
What are the stakes for Alabama in 2025?
Debate aside, Alabama squandered its shot at an at-large College Football Playoff bid last season with a humbling November loss at Oklahoma. It marked a rocky start to a new era in Tuscaloosa, but there’s reason for optimism going into 2025. With a roster loaded with top-end talent led by returning freshman All-American receiver Ryan Williams and a new face set to lead the offense — whether it’s Austin Mack, Keelon Russell or the projected favorite Ty Simpson — the Crimson Tide aren’t lowering the standard.
“Gotta make the playoffs,” Goodwin said. “They did not make the playoffs last year. I know that they were kind of that last team out. … You can’t leave it up to chance like that, right? You gotta find a way to drive the hammer home. You gotta find a way to take it out of other people’s hands and secure your spot in the playoff.”
Alabama made the College Football Playoff eight times in 10 years under Nick Saban. So, not earning a spot in the expanded 12-team format last season under DeBoer was a notable setback. The Crimson Tide should contend for an SEC Championship again in 2025 with the third-best odds (+500) to win the title game, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Breakout player everybody needs to know
Despite losses in both the transfer portal and NFL Draft, Alabama returns valuable experience at inside linebacker…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/alabama-football-2025-win-total-cfp-outlook-and-kalen-deboers-shot-at-redemption/
Author : Cody Nagel
Publish date : 2025-06-03 15:01:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
