Alabama Football Lands Predictable Spot in Preseason Coaches Poll, Right Where Everyone Expected.
Year after year, Alabama football remains a fixture in the upper tier of the preseason Coaches Poll, and the 2025 edition is no different. As the poll was released, Crimson Tide fans across the country gave a collective nod, not in surprise or excitement, but in affirmation of what has become a predictable tradition: Alabama once again finds itself ranked exactly where everyone expected. It’s not a matter of “if” Alabama will be ranked highly—it’s a matter of “how high.” And for a program that has set the standard of excellence for over a decade and a half, this year’s ranking simply continues that trend.
Although the Nick Saban era officially came to a close after the 2023 season, the legacy he left behind continues to loom large over the program. Under the guidance of new head coach Kalen DeBoer, the Tide are forging ahead with a strong foundation already laid, recruiting classes that remain elite, and a culture of winning that has not diminished. It’s no coincidence that the Coaches Poll would reflect that stability and respect by placing Alabama near the top of the rankings yet again. No drama. No controversy. Just a steady reminder that Alabama’s seat at the table of college football’s elite is still very much reserved.
The preseason Coaches Poll is about more than just numbers—it’s about perception, expectation, and reputation. And Alabama checks all those boxes without hesitation. The Tide have earned the benefit of the doubt from coaches around the nation. Even when there’s turnover at key positions—whether that’s quarterback, offensive coordinator, or head coach—there remains a widespread belief that Alabama will figure it out, just like they always do. It’s baked into the DNA of the program. That belief is not just fueled by past titles but also by the consistency of performance year in and year out, regardless of who’s suiting up or standing on the sidelines.
DeBoer’s arrival in Tuscaloosa brought plenty of intrigue. Replacing a legend like Saban is no small feat, and many outsiders expected some drop-off—at least in perception. But clearly, the coaching fraternity doesn’t see it that way. That Alabama remains so high in the rankings is a direct endorsement of DeBoer’s reputation, his track record at Washington, and the assumption that the infrastructure in place at Alabama will support his transition. And perhaps more importantly, it’s an acknowledgment that Alabama, even in a period of transition, is still better than most programs on their best day.
The roster helps back up that faith. Alabama didn’t fall off in terms of talent when Saban stepped down. In fact, the team boasts one of the deepest and most versatile rosters in college football. With multiple former five-star recruits waiting in the wings and proven veterans returning to anchor both sides of the ball, it’s easy to see why coaches are confident about the Tide’s prospects. Whether it’s the defensive line, the running back room, or the secondary, Alabama has more than enough firepower to compete with—and beat—anyone in the country.
Of course, Alabama’s place in the poll also reflects a certain reverence that has built up over the years. In a sense, they are a known commodity, a safe bet. When coaches sit down to vote, Alabama isn’t a program they have to second-guess. They know what Alabama brings to the table. They’ve seen the discipline, the preparation, the execution. Even when the rest of the country changes, Alabama represents a constant. That kind of institutional confidence doesn’t just disappear with one coaching change.
And let’s not forget that Alabama’s schedule also plays a role in shaping perception. The Tide aren’t ducking anyone. Their SEC slate is brutal, as always, and they’ll be tested week in and week out. But the poll ranking suggests that coaches believe Alabama is not only capable of surviving that gauntlet—but thriving in it. The respect comes from knowing that when the lights are brightest, Alabama usually delivers.
Still, there are questions that need to be answered, and Alabama’s spot in the Coaches Poll sets the stage for a season full of intrigue. How will DeBoer’s offensive system mesh with the talent already on campus? Can Alabama establish a dominant identity early, or will there be growing pains? Will the quarterback situation stabilize quickly, or will it take time for the right leader to emerge? These are valid concerns, but the Coaches Poll reflects a belief that Alabama will answer them in typical Alabama fashion: by winning.
The early ranking also sets expectations for what fans, media, and opponents should anticipate. It places a target on Alabama’s back, but that’s nothing new. The Tide have worn that target proudly for years. In fact, they often perform best when expectations are sky-high. The pressure that comes with a lofty ranking is something Alabama welcomes. It’s part of their DNA. And with the resources, facilities, and talent pipeline that the program boasts, they are equipped to handle it better than most.
What’s perhaps most impressive about Alabama’s ranking is how normal it feels. Other programs might celebrate a top-five or top-ten preseason ranking as a sign of arrival or validation. For Alabama, it’s simply business as usual. There’s no overreaction. No parade. Just another mile marker on the road to Atlanta and, potentially, the College Football Playoff. This is the standard Alabama has built, and while the names and faces may change, the expectations do not.
It’s also worth noting how Alabama’s place in the poll compares with other SEC powers. Programs like Georgia, Texas, and LSU all find themselves nearby in the rankings, reflecting just how competitive the SEC is poised to be this season. That Alabama remains among the top dogs even with new leadership is a testament to the program’s stability. Coaches around the country are effectively saying, “Until proven otherwise, Alabama is still Alabama.”
And that’s the central truth in all of this. Despite change, despite uncertainty, despite a shifting landscape in college football—Alabama remains a pillar. The Coaches Poll merely confirms what those inside the game already know: You write off the Tide at your own peril. The moment you assume Alabama is slipping is the moment they come back to remind you just how wrong you were. That’s why the ranking isn’t surprising. It’s exactly where you’d expect it to be.
As the season unfolds, this early recognition from the Coaches Poll will serve as both motivation and a measuring stick. Every team on Alabama’s schedule will bring their best shot, hoping to prove that the new era under DeBoer is vulnerable. But Alabama isn’t just trying to maintain their place—they’re trying to prove that the dynasty is not only alive, but evolving. And if the preseason poll is any indication, their peers believe they’re more than capable of doing just that.
There will be moments this season when adversity strikes. Maybe it’s an upset loss. Maybe it’s a key injury. Maybe it’s a stretch of tough road games that tests the team’s resolve. But the expectation remains that Alabama will not fold. They’ll adjust. They’ll respond. And they’ll continue to play championship-caliber football. That’s the expectation that comes with a high preseason ranking, and that’s the burden Alabama has carried—and embraced—for years.
It also speaks volumes about how the national coaching community views Alabama’s recruiting and development pipeline. Even when other programs have a spike year, Alabama is viewed as sustainable. The coaches understand that the depth chart in Tuscaloosa is rarely thin. The next man up isn’t just another body—it’s a future star who’s been preparing behind the scenes. That’s why coaches trust Alabama even in transition. Because their “rebuild” years look like championship runs for other schools.
And when you zoom out, Alabama’s preseason ranking also serves as a broader commentary on the state of college football. In a sport increasingly driven by NIL, the transfer portal, and constant movement, Alabama is viewed as a bastion of continuity. Even with new leadership, they remain the archetype. Their brand, their approach, and their results continue to command attention. The Coaches Poll acknowledges that in the clearest way possible: by keeping Alabama exactly where they’ve always been—near the top.
So while the poll’s release might not have sparked headlines for shock value or unexpected climbs, it did something more powerful. It confirmed that Alabama is still seen as the gold standard. And that, perhaps more than any dramatic rise or fall, speaks to the enduring power of the Crimson Tide.
Whether they finish the season where they started remains to be seen. But for now, the message is clear: Alabama football is right where you’d expect—respected, ranked, and ready.
