Only Six Saturdays Stand Between Alabama Crimson Tide Football and Glory: Countdown to Practice Begins with 11 Days Left

It’s beginning to feel a lot like football in Tuscaloosa.

Only six Saturdays remain until Alabama football is back under the Bryant-Denny Stadium lights, and in just 11 days, the Crimson Tide will take the practice field for the first time in the 2025 season. The countdown is no longer a whisper — it’s a roar, echoing across campus and in every corner of Tide Nation. From barbershops in Birmingham to backyards in Mobile, the anticipation is unmistakable. Crimson jerseys are coming out of closets, houndstooth hats are dusted off, and the energy is as thick as the summer heat.

The upcoming season is more than just another chapter — it’s a chance for redemption, evolution, and reignition. With Kalen DeBoer preparing for his first fall camp as the head coach of Alabama, fans are eager to see how he plans to carry the legacy forward. The post-Saban era has officially begun, and though the legend has stepped aside, the expectations remain as sky-high as ever. For DeBoer and the 2025 Crimson Tide, it’s about writing their own story — and it starts now.

Alabama’s 2025 schedule features a loaded slate that begins August 30 at home against Western Kentucky. While the Hilltoppers might not seem like headline material, anyone familiar with Alabama football knows every opener is a statement — a performance that sets the tone for what’s to come. And what’s coming is a gauntlet. Week 2 sees the Tide travel to Madison to face Wisconsin, a formidable early road test. Then comes a September 27 visit to Georgia, a matchup that could reshape the SEC and national title picture just a month into the season.

DeBoer isn’t new to the pressures of big-time football. After taking Washington to the national championship game last season, his move to Tuscaloosa came with seismic expectations. But he hasn’t blinked. From the moment he was introduced as head coach, he’s embraced the grind, inherited the responsibility, and earned the respect of players, alumni, and fans alike. Now, as practice nears, all eyes are on how his version of the Crimson Tide will take shape.

Returning talent and fresh blood will define this year’s team. The quarterback room is headlined by Jalen Milroe, who brings elite athleticism and leadership. His progression as a passer under DeBoer’s system could be the key to unlocking the offense’s full potential. Sophomore Dylan Lonergan and freshman Keelon Russell add depth and competition, ensuring no one gets too comfortable. Russell, who turned down a $3.5 million NIL offer from Clemson, has already become a fan favorite — not just for his talent, but for his loyalty to the program.

The running back corps features the dynamic Justice Haynes and the ever-reliable Jamarion Miller, both of whom are expected to thrive behind a retooled offensive line that returns key veterans and welcomes a few five-star reinforcements. Wide receivers Kendrick Law, Kobe Prentice, and rising sophomore Jalen Hale will be counted on to stretch the field and provide consistent targets for Milroe. Newcomers from the transfer portal and high school ranks are also expected to make an immediate impact — particularly elite freshman Ryan Williams, who reclassified to join the team early and has already turned heads with his explosiveness.

On defense, the Tide boast one of the most feared linebacker groups in the country. Deontae Lawson returns as the leader in the middle, while Jeremiah Alexander — the Alabama transfer who’s been hailed by Clemson coaches as one of the hardest-working players they’ve ever seen — is poised for a breakout season. The defensive line, anchored by Tim Keenan III and James Smith, looks to return to vintage form after some inconsistency last year. Meanwhile, the secondary is a mix of experience and elite upside, with Malachi Moore back for his final campaign and younger stars like Jahlil Hurley and Tony Mitchell ready to rise.

But beyond names and depth charts, it’s the hunger that stands out. Players are locked in. There’s a noticeable edge in every summer workout, every media session, every whisper from within the program. Last year’s near-miss — falling short in the College Football Playoff — still stings. And while the 2024 team overachieved under Saban in what turned out to be his final season, this year’s squad believes it can take the next step.

Alabama fans aren’t just excited — they’re invested. The offseason has been a flurry of message board debates, early depth chart predictions, NIL updates, and recruiting victories. The June commitment of 2026 defensive lineman Keshawn Stancil — who recently shut down his recruitment — was a massive win for the future, signaling that DeBoer can compete on the trail as well as on the field.

Of course, there are questions. Can DeBoer’s system work in the SEC? Will the offensive line be dominant enough to control elite defenses? Can the defense return to Alabama’s traditional standard of physicality and discipline? Those answers won’t fully come until Saturdays begin, but in 11 days, we’ll start to get our first clues.

The first practice will be closed to the public, but don’t expect that to stop the buzz. Reporters will be hanging on every detail — who’s running with the ones, how crisp the execution looks, who’s stepping into leadership roles. It’s a new era, but it’s still Alabama. Every rep, every drill, every film session matters. DeBoer knows that. And so does every player on the roster.

Behind the scenes, strength coach David Ballou continues to transform bodies in the weight room, while the nutrition and recovery staff keep players locked into championship-level preparation. Alabama isn’t trying to rebuild — it’s trying to reload, reassert, and reclaim.

The 2025 team has all the ingredients to do just that. Veteran quarterback play. Star power at skill positions. Leadership on defense. Young talent in the pipeline. And a coaching staff that’s both hungry and proven. All that’s left is execution.

Six more Saturdays. That’s all. Then the lights come on, the band plays “Yea Alabama,” and over 100,000 strong scream “Roll Tide” in unison. The nation watches, the SEC braces, and a new journey begins.

It’s not just a season — it’s a mission.

A mission to honor the legacy.

A mission to forge a new identity.

A mission to bring another title back to Title Town.

As Alabama counts down the final days to practice, one thing is crystal clear: the Tide isn’t waiting for the future — it’s coming for it.

And it’s only six Saturdays away.