“Crimson Tide Still Command Respect: Alabama Lands No. 8 in Preseason Coaches Poll, Third-Highest Among SEC Powerhouses”
The 2025 college football season is already stirring intense anticipation, and as the preseason Coaches Poll dropped, the familiar roar of the Crimson Tide once again echoed across the college football landscape. Alabama, one of the sport’s most iconic programs, has earned the No. 8 spot in the rankings, placing them third among all Southeastern Conference (SEC) teams behind Georgia and Texas. While the program finds itself in unfamiliar waters without longtime head coach Nick Saban at the helm, the respect from the national coaching fraternity remains firmly intact. Being positioned as the eighth-best team in the country and third in the SEC is a significant nod to the program’s continuity, tradition, and perceived strength even amidst a season of transition. The Crimson Tide are not being written off—far from it. They are being challenged to reclaim dominance, and the rest of the nation is watching closely.
The post-Saban era was always going to be complex. Nick Saban’s retirement earlier this year marked the end of a dynasty that reshaped the modern college football ecosystem. Under his reign, Alabama became the standard-bearer for excellence, stacking national titles, NFL draft picks, and recruiting wins with unmatched consistency. The shadow he cast remains long and commanding, and stepping into that void is no small task. But Alabama’s ranking in the preseason poll indicates that opposing coaches aren’t expecting the Crimson Tide to fade into obscurity. Instead, they believe the infrastructure, culture, and sheer talent pool still remaining in Tuscaloosa will keep Alabama firmly in the national spotlight.
New head coach Kalen DeBoer, formerly of Washington, arrives with lofty expectations and a deep résumé of offensive innovation and team building. His challenge is to bring his own voice into a program accustomed to Saban’s gospel while maintaining the elite level of performance that has become the program’s hallmark. DeBoer’s offensive prowess was on full display last season when he guided the Huskies to the national title game. That résumé has clearly impressed the panel of coaches voting in the preseason poll, and while there may be doubts about how quickly he can transition into SEC warfare, there’s a consensus that the Crimson Tide’s floor remains incredibly high.
Part of the reason Alabama still commands this respect is due to its depth of talent. Despite losing key contributors to the NFL and the transfer portal, the Tide still boast one of the most talented rosters in college football. Quarterback Jalen Milroe returns with added confidence and growth, poised to take the next step in his evolution. His blend of athleticism and arm strength makes him a unique weapon in DeBoer’s system, and if he can develop consistency, Alabama’s offense could be one of the more explosive units in the SEC.
Around Milroe, the Tide feature a stable of skill-position players that fit the mold of what has made Alabama so dangerous over the years. Running backs who can dominate in both the power and speed game, wide receivers with NFL traits, and a physical offensive line remain foundational pieces. The defense, too, continues to possess size, speed, and instinctive playmakers across all levels. Replacing defensive coordinator Kevin Steele will be a hurdle, but Alabama has always been able to attract high-level coaching talent, and the new staff has been constructed to ensure that the physicality and defensive discipline Alabama is known for doesn’t fade.
What’s more telling is that Alabama is ranked ahead of LSU, Tennessee, and Ole Miss—three programs that are also poised to contend in the SEC. Being ahead of them in the Coaches Poll is not just a symbolic gesture; it reflects a belief that Alabama remains the more reliable entity, even in a year that promises instability. The SEC is as loaded as ever, and the addition of Texas and Oklahoma has only intensified the pressure. Texas, ranked ahead of Alabama at No. 3, has emerged as the trendy pick to win the conference. Georgia, as the consensus No. 1, is viewed as the most complete team in college football. For Alabama to sit right behind them as the third-highest ranked SEC program is a clear reminder that no one expects the Crimson Tide to retreat.
Some may interpret the No. 8 ranking as a downgrade from the Saban-era dominance, where preseason rankings in the top three were commonplace. But this is not a fall from grace—it’s a recalibration. In fact, many coaches likely struggled with the decision of where exactly to place Alabama. On one hand, the loss of Saban is seismic. On the other, the machine he built continues to churn. Alabama’s brand, its talent, its facilities, and its fanbase all remain elite. There’s also the intangible aspect of pride. Players who signed with Alabama did so because they wanted to win championships. That hunger doesn’t dissipate because the head coach changes. In some cases, it intensifies.
The early part of Alabama’s schedule will be critical. A strong start can reinforce their top-10 standing, but a stumble could open the door for critics to pile on. Games against SEC rivals like Georgia, Texas, and LSU will be measuring sticks not only for DeBoer’s leadership but also for how effectively the new staff can navigate the treacherous SEC waters. The good news is that Alabama is never short on motivation. Being ranked behind Georgia and Texas might be all the fuel this team needs to reassert its claim as the SEC’s alpha.
It’s worth noting that Alabama’s recruiting hasn’t dropped off dramatically. While the loss of Saban did lead to some player movement and decommitments, the new coaching staff has managed to stabilize the program quickly. The 2025 class is shaping up to be another strong one, and several high-profile recruits have reaffirmed their commitment to the Crimson Tide. That continuity matters. It tells current players and potential future stars that the Alabama brand is bigger than any one coach—even one as legendary as Saban.
The path ahead won’t be easy, and the SEC has never been more competitive. But the preseason Coaches Poll is a snapshot of where programs stand in the eyes of their peers, and Alabama’s standing reveals something important: the rest of college football still fears what the Tide are capable of. That fear is rooted in more than just nostalgia—it’s based on an understanding of the program’s DNA. Alabama doesn’t rebuild. It reloads. And even amid coaching changes and roster turnover, it remains one of the most respected and dangerous teams in the nation.
As August rolls on and fall camp intensifies, Alabama’s players and coaches will be locked in on the daily grind. They’ll block out the noise, the doubters, and the distractions. They understand that preseason rankings are just that—preseason. Nothing has been won or lost yet. But what the No. 8 ranking in the Coaches Poll represents is opportunity. Opportunity to prove that the culture Saban instilled can survive and thrive without him. Opportunity for Kalen DeBoer to put his stamp on the program. Opportunity for Milroe and the rest of the roster to silence critics. And ultimately, an opportunity to chase championships once again.
The legacy of Alabama football has always been written in the fall, on the field, and in the moments that define greatness. Being ranked eighth in the country before a single snap is taken is not just about where the program is today—it’s about what coaches across the country believe it can be. And what they believe, even in the absence of the greatest coach of all time, is that the Crimson Tide still command respect.
