Nick Saban Reveals His Top 5 Contenders to Win the SEC in 2025 — Is Alabama Among Them?

Nick Saban, the legendary former head coach of Alabama football, may have stepped away from the sidelines, but his influence on the sport remains undeniable. His voice still commands respect across the college football landscape, especially when it comes to evaluating the strength of programs and forecasting who might rise to the top. So, when Saban recently shared his thoughts on which five teams he believes are poised to win the SEC in 2025, the football world paid close attention. And of course, the biggest question on everyone’s mind—did Alabama make his list?

Saban’s analysis wasn’t just a surface-level prediction based on tradition or fan bases. It was rooted in deep understanding of talent development, coaching stability, recruiting momentum, and the ability to adapt in a rapidly evolving college football world. The SEC, long considered the most dominant conference in college football, is even more competitive heading into the 2025 season. With Texas and Oklahoma now fully integrated into the league, the path to a championship has never been more demanding.

According to Saban, there are five programs that currently possess the necessary combination of depth, leadership, and trajectory to seriously contend for the SEC title in 2025. These teams, he said, have the right mix of veteran presence and high-upside young players, plus coaching staffs that understand how to navigate the gauntlet of an SEC schedule. What’s perhaps most surprising—or depending on your perspective, most validating—is that Saban didn’t just go with the traditional powerhouses. His list reflects both respect for legacy and recognition of emerging threats.

So, did Alabama make the cut? The answer is yes—but with a caveat. Saban noted that while Alabama remains one of the most talented and well-coached teams in the country, 2025 will test the Crimson Tide in a way not seen in over a decade. With a new head coach in Kalen DeBoer taking over the reins following Saban’s retirement, there is bound to be a period of adjustment. Yet, Saban emphasized that DeBoer has already impressed by quickly stabilizing the program, retaining top-tier talent, and continuing to bring in elite recruits. If DeBoer can keep the locker room unified and instill his offensive philosophy while honoring the toughness and discipline Alabama is known for, the Crimson Tide could very well find themselves back in Atlanta come December.

Another team on Saban’s list is Georgia. There was no hesitation there. Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs have evolved into a perennial powerhouse, building on the blueprint he helped craft while working under Saban at Alabama. With top recruiting classes, NFL-ready talent on both sides of the ball, and a staff that thrives in high-pressure moments, Georgia has shown they can reload rather than rebuild. Even after some personnel turnover, the foundation in Athens is too strong to ignore. Saban praised their physical identity, defensive consistency, and ability to win in a variety of ways.

Texas was next on Saban’s radar—and this might raise some eyebrows. After all, the Longhorns are still relatively new to the SEC, and adjusting to the league’s intensity can be a shock. But Saban sees a different Texas team emerging under Steve Sarkisian. With a potent offense, a surging defense, and a recruiting operation that’s finally catching up to expectations, Texas is no longer just a sleeping giant—they’re waking up. Saban cited their depth at quarterback, their improved line play, and their big-game experience as reasons they’ll be in the mix in 2025. They’ve proven they can hang with SEC competition and now, with a full conference schedule ahead of them, they’ll have every chance to prove they belong.

Another pick from Saban’s top five? LSU. The Tigers have been building something dangerous in Baton Rouge under Brian Kelly. Saban acknowledged that LSU has found new life, balancing its explosive offensive identity with a renewed commitment to defense. With a young, athletic roster and a coaching staff that’s finally settled into its rhythm, LSU is a wild card that could swing the SEC race. Saban warned not to underestimate how dangerous a well-coached and hungry LSU team can be, especially when they have something to prove. Their performance in key divisional matchups will determine how far they go, but the potential is undeniable.

The final team on Saban’s list is a bit of a surprise—Tennessee. That’s right. The Volunteers have slowly but surely rebuilt under Josh Heupel, and Saban believes 2025 could be their breakout year. Their high-powered offense has already made waves in the SEC, and if the defense continues to make strides, Tennessee could be a legitimate contender. Saban pointed to the Vols’ improving quarterback development and their aggressive recruiting as signals that the program is serious about closing the gap between promise and production. Their fan base is energized, Neyland Stadium is once again a place where opponents fear to play, and their schedule sets up well for a potential run.

What’s interesting about Saban’s list is not just who made it—but who didn’t. Noticeably absent were programs like Florida and Auburn, two schools with rich traditions but who, in Saban’s eyes, are still trying to find their identity. He wasn’t dismissive of their potential, but he noted that consistency, not talent, is what separates contenders from pretenders in the SEC. Saban also mentioned that Ole Miss, under Lane Kiffin, is always a dangerous team that can pull off an upset or two—but that their ability to sustain success over the long haul remains a question.

And while programs like Kentucky, South Carolina, and Arkansas have made strides, Saban’s view is that they’re still building the depth needed to navigate an SEC title run. Missouri, too, has had some strong years, but the ability to string together wins against top-tier programs is the next step.

Of course, any preseason prediction is just that—a prediction. Saban, ever the realist, acknowledged that injuries, breakout players, and unexpected coaching changes can tilt the balance in ways no one sees coming. But his picks reflect where he believes the power is shifting in the SEC landscape.

For Alabama fans, there’s comfort in knowing the Crimson Tide still have the pieces to compete at the highest level. DeBoer’s ability to keep Alabama nationally relevant in his first year will be closely scrutinized, but with the infrastructure in place, the transition might be smoother than many expect. Saban seemed cautiously optimistic, noting that while there will be growing pains, the culture he spent nearly two decades building is not easily dismantled.

Georgia, as expected, remains the standard. The Bulldogs are hunting their third SEC crown in four years, and Saban’s respect for Kirby Smart was evident. He sees Georgia as a team that reflects many of the same principles that made Alabama dominant: elite recruiting, ruthless efficiency, and unwavering mental toughness.

Texas is the wildcard with upside, LSU is the high-ceiling team with explosive talent, and Tennessee is the one that might finally put it all together. That’s the SEC in a nutshell—five teams, each with a compelling case to take home the crown, each with different strengths and vulnerabilities.

In the end, Saban’s insight offers more than just a list—it’s a roadmap. It shows which programs have been doing the right things, investing in the right areas, and positioning themselves to thrive in a brutal conference. And while no one knows how the season will unfold, if history has taught us anything, it’s that when Nick Saban speaks, college football listens.

So yes, Alabama made the list—but not because of history alone. They made it because they’re still built to win. And even as a new era dawns in Tuscaloosa, the expectations haven’t changed. As always in the SEC, the only thing more intense than the competition is the pressure to rise above it. And Saban, even in retirement, still knows exactly what it takes.