
Alabama football schedule: Are the Crimson Tide playing today?
When you’re a fan of Alabama football, game day isn’t just another Saturday—it’s a weekly ritual, a sacred experience, and often a dominant display of gridiron excellence. Under legendary head coach Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide turned Saturdays into an art form of precision, power, and pageantry. But whether you’re a lifelong Tide faithful or a casual observer, there’s one question that always bubbles up when the calendar flips: Are the Crimson Tide playing today?
Let’s take a look at Alabama’s 2025 football schedule, assess where things stand currently in the season, and break down what’s ahead. We’ll also explore what Saturdays in Tuscaloosa mean to the Alabama faithful and why every matchup on the Crimson Tide’s calendar draws national attention.
The Current Status: Are the Tide Playing Today?
As of today, April 11, 2025, Alabama football is not scheduled to play. The college football regular season typically kicks off in late August and runs through the beginning of December, with bowl games and the College Football Playoff extending into January. That means spring is a time for offseason training, spring practices, and of course, the annual A-Day game—Alabama’s spring game which gives fans a sneak peek at the new roster.
The A-Day Game for Alabama in 2025 is set for Saturday, April 19, at Bryant-Denny Stadium. It’s not a regular season game, but it serves as an unofficial kickoff to the football calendar. Fans will flood Tuscaloosa to see which young stars are stepping up, how the quarterback competition is unfolding, and how new coaches and schemes are integrating into the system.
So while there’s no official Alabama football game today, Tide fans have something exciting just around the corner.
Why People Ask: The Popularity of Alabama Football
The question “Are the Crimson Tide playing today?” isn’t a simple inquiry—it’s a reflection of Alabama’s gravitational pull on college football fans. The Crimson Tide don’t just play games—they host spectacles. Whether at home or on the road, Alabama football is appointment viewing.
The program’s dominance over the past two decades has made it a national obsession. With countless SEC titles, national championships, and first-round NFL Draft picks, Alabama is the gold standard. That success breeds anticipation. Every weekend, whether it’s September or January, people want to know if Alabama is suiting up—and who they’re playing.
2025 Alabama Football Schedule: Full Breakdown
Let’s walk through Alabama’s upcoming 2025 schedule. The Tide face a grueling SEC slate and a few high-profile non-conference matchups that could shape the national landscape. The dates and opponents are subject to final confirmation, but here’s how things are expected to look:
September 2025
- Week 1: vs. Wisconsin (August 30)
The Crimson Tide open the 2025 season with a bang, hosting the Big Ten’s Wisconsin Badgers at Bryant-Denny. It’s a marquee non-conference matchup that could have playoff implications. Expect a physical game with plenty of running and trench warfare. - Week 2: at Vanderbilt (September 6)
Alabama begins its SEC campaign on the road in Nashville. Vanderbilt has struggled to compete with the upper tier of the conference, and Alabama typically dominates this matchup. - Week 3: vs. Georgia (September 13)
Arguably the biggest game of the early season, this matchup brings the Georgia Bulldogs to Tuscaloosa in a potential preview of the SEC Championship Game. Both teams boast elite recruiting classes and title aspirations. - Week 4: vs. South Florida (September 20)
A bit of a breather before the next SEC grind, South Florida provides a non-conference opponent that gives the Tide a chance to regroup.
October 2025
- Week 5: at Arkansas (October 4)
Fayetteville is never an easy place to play, and the Razorbacks are expected to be improved in 2025. Alabama must be sharp. - Week 6: vs. Tennessee (October 11)
The Third Saturday in October rivalry has regained juice in recent years. Tennessee will look to break Alabama’s home-field advantage. - Week 7: Bye Week (October 18)
A much-needed rest before the stretch run. - Week 8: vs. LSU (October 25)
Alabama-LSU rarely disappoints. This SEC West rivalry has playoff ramifications nearly every year.
November 2025
- Week 9: at Kentucky (November 1)
A tricky road game. Kentucky’s defense has made life difficult for Alabama in the past, and a road trip to Lexington can be dangerous if overlooked. - Week 10: at Mississippi State (November 8)
Starkville can be hostile, especially under the lights. Alabama will need to be composed and efficient. - Week 11: vs. Auburn (November 15)
The Iron Bowl returns to Tuscaloosa, and no matter the records, this rivalry is always heated. With Hugh Freeze now building momentum on the Plains, Auburn could be a dangerous foe. - Week 12: SEC Championship (December 6, if qualified)
If Alabama wins the SEC West, they’ll likely head to Atlanta for a date with Georgia—or perhaps a surprise contender.
What Comes After: Playoff Picture and Bowl Scenarios
Alabama’s path in 2025 likely leads to the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. With the new format officially in place, the Crimson Tide won’t necessarily have to go undefeated to get in—but margin for error is still slim.
Should Alabama drop a game or two, their overall strength of schedule and quality of wins (like the Georgia game or LSU showdown) will play a huge role. The top four seeds in the CFP earn byes, which could be critical to a deep postseason run. Winning the SEC, of course, virtually guarantees a playoff berth.
Who to Watch: Key Players for Alabama in 2025
With several stars moving on to the NFL, Alabama is reloading—but not rebuilding. Here are some names to keep an eye on:
- Julian Sayin, QB: The highly touted sophomore is expected to win the quarterback battle. He’s known for his poise, accuracy, and leadership potential.
- Justice Haynes, RB: Entering his junior season, Haynes brings power and speed to the backfield, following in the footsteps of great Alabama running backs.
- Caleb Downs, S: A preseason All-American candidate and one of the top safeties in the nation.
- Kadyn Proctor, OL: A future first-rounder anchoring the offensive line.
- Keon Keeley, EDGE: An explosive pass-rusher who will be key to pressuring opposing quarterbacks.
Coaching Storylines: Saban’s Next Act
Nick Saban is entering his 19th season with the Crimson Tide. While rumors about his retirement always swirl, the legendary coach remains laser-focused on another title. With new assistants, including a fresh offensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, Alabama fans are eager to see how the new-look staff gels.
Saban’s ability to adapt to changes—whether it’s the transfer portal, NIL era, or playoff expansion—remains one of his greatest strengths. 2025 may serve as a defining chapter of the final years of his dynasty.
Why the A-Day Game Matters
With no game today, the next big date is April 19. The A-Day game will serve as a benchmark for where the team stands heading into fall camp. Fans, media, and NFL scouts will watch closely to see:
- How the quarterback race shakes out
- How new coordinators call plays
- Who’s emerging from the highly touted freshman class
- What Alabama looks like in Year 19 of the Saban Era
It’s free to attend and always draws a massive crowd. For fans itching for football in April, A-Day is the closest thing to a holiday.
Even When They’re Not Playing, Alabama Dominates the Headlines
So no, Alabama football isn’t playing today—but that hardly stops the Crimson Tide from dominating the national conversation. Whether it’s spring practice, player development, recruiting news, or the build-up to A-Day, there’s never really an offseason in Tuscaloosa.
The 2025 schedule promises drama, challenges, and high-stakes moments. From the season-opening clash with Wisconsin to the potential SEC title game showdown, Alabama is once again positioned to be a national title contender.
Until the Tide take the field again, fans will be watching, talking, and preparing—because when Alabama does play, the whole college football world watches.