Alabama’s Greatest Obstacle in the 2025 College Football Season Might Be the Crimson Tide Themselves, Not Their SEC Rivals
When evaluating the landscape of college football heading into the 2025 season, one of the perennial powerhouses, the Alabama Crimson Tide, naturally garners national attention. With a new era under head coach Kalen DeBoer after Nick Saban’s legendary retirement, the expectations remain sky-high in Tuscaloosa. The roster is loaded with elite talent, the facilities are top-tier, and the brand power is unquestionable. Yet, according to respected college football analyst Josh Pate, the biggest threat to Alabama’s success this season isn’t Georgia, Texas, or LSU — it’s Alabama themselves.
At first glance, such a take might sound like media hyperbole or a motivational ploy, but Pate’s assessment speaks to a deeper truth about what it takes to sustain dominance in college football. Alabama is in the midst of a major transition. While the talent level remains elite, the leadership, culture, and identity of the program are in flux. In other words, the only thing that could truly derail Alabama in 2025 is internal inconsistency, not external opposition.
To understand why Alabama might be their own biggest hurdle, it’s essential to look at several dimensions of the program heading into this season: coaching transitions, leadership changes, quarterback questions, roster turnover, and mental pressure. These factors — individually and collectively — will determine whether Alabama maintains its place atop the college football hierarchy or stumbles trying to find itself in this new chapter.
Replacing a legend is never easy. Nick Saban wasn’t just a great coach — he was the standard of modern college football excellence. His attention to detail, relentless recruiting, and player development turned Alabama into a dynasty, winning six national titles and competing in numerous College Football Playoff appearances during his tenure.
Kalen DeBoer brings with him an excellent résumé, having transformed Washington into a national contender in just a couple of seasons. He’s a proven offensive mind with a calm and composed demeanor. But this isn’t Washington — this is Alabama, where every loss is treated like a national crisis and every decision is scrutinized.
DeBoer has already made several strategic hires and appears to be adjusting well, but instilling a new philosophy in a program so used to a particular structure takes time. The challenge lies not in Xs and Os, but in managing expectations, earning player trust, and translating his system to SEC-level competition.
One of the most immediate risks is whether DeBoer’s approach will resonate with a locker room that’s known nothing but Saban’s style. Buy-in is crucial. If the players, especially veterans who committed under Saban, don’t fully embrace the new coaching regime, internal friction could become a real problem. That’s not a reflection on DeBoer’s abilities, but rather a symptom of any major cultural shift in an elite program.
Another internal factor that could define Alabama’s season is the quarterback position. Jalen Milroe is expected to return as the starter, bringing a dual-threat element that made him both electric and inconsistent at times in 2024. His improvement throughout last season was notable, and under DeBoer’s quarterback-friendly system, he could elevate his game even further.
But with that promise comes uncertainty. DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan must tailor their system around Milroe’s strengths while mitigating the weaknesses that showed up in key moments last year — namely, inconsistency in short-to-intermediate accuracy and decision-making under pressure.
If Milroe takes a leap and becomes a reliable leader, Alabama’s offense could be one of the most explosive in the country. However, if he regresses or fails to adapt to the new offensive scheme, the Tide could face internal struggles on that side of the ball. Moreover, the depth behind him is unproven. A midseason quarterback controversy — or even just inconsistency at the position — could be the kind of self-inflicted wound that derails a championship run.
Saban wasn’t just a coach; he was the emotional and mental anchor of the program. His presence alone demanded excellence. Without him, Alabama faces a challenge in cultivating the same level of discipline and internal leadership that has long defined the Tide.
DeBoer must now rely on player leadership to keep the team focused and aligned. While upperclassmen like Dallas Turner and Kool-Aid McKinstry have moved on to the NFL, the locker room now depends on a new generation of leaders. This includes players like linebacker Deontae Lawson and offensive lineman Tyler Booker, who will need to set the tone for the team both on and off the field.
If internal leadership fails to fill the void Saban left, the Tide risk losing the edge that made them relentless. Great programs don’t just win with talent — they win with focus, accountability, and cohesion. If Alabama turns inward and fails to maintain that discipline, they could underperform despite having one of the best rosters in the country.
There’s no denying Alabama is still one of the most talented teams in college football. Their recruiting pipeline remains strong, with multiple five-stars and blue-chip prospects ready to step into bigger roles. The offensive line is stacked, the defensive front is deep, and the skill positions are full of playmakers. Yet, having great talent doesn’t always translate to championships.
That’s especially true during times of transition. Chemistry and continuity matter. New schemes, new coaches, and new voices can all cause friction — not necessarily due to conflict, but simply because the team is still finding its identity.
College football history is littered with rosters that were stacked on paper but never clicked on the field. Alabama must avoid becoming another cautionary tale. If the players buy in and stay aligned, the talent will carry them far. But if egos, confusion, or lack of direction creep in, even a small misstep can become a major roadblock in the hyper-competitive SEC.
No program in the country deals with pressure like Alabama. With or without Saban, every year comes with the expectation of a national title. That pressure doesn’t go away simply because a new coach is in charge. In fact, the spotlight may burn even brighter in 2025.
There will be no grace period for DeBoer. The media, fans, and players all expect results immediately. Every mistake will be amplified. Every decision will be second-guessed. For a team already navigating a transition, the external noise could become a distraction — unless they have the mental fortitude to shut it out.
That kind of internal pressure can be just as dangerous as any opponent. Players may press too hard. Coaches might make overly cautious or overly aggressive decisions. Doubts can creep in. Suddenly, a team with national championship potential starts to unravel — not because of the opponent across the field, but because of the stress within.
Of course, Alabama will face plenty of elite opponents. Texas, Georgia, LSU, and Tennessee are all capable of beating the Tide on any given Saturday. But in most of those games, Alabama will have the better roster. The difference will come down to execution, mindset, and consistency — all internal factors.
That’s why Josh Pate’s statement rings so true. The biggest threat to Alabama isn’t necessarily a more talented or better-coached team. It’s whether Alabama can avoid beating themselves. Mental lapses, poor preparation, or leadership breakdowns can lead to one or two losses — and in the 12-team playoff era, even those can significantly alter your postseason trajectory.
Alabama still has everything it needs to win a national championship in 2025. They have elite players, a proven head coach, and one of the most passionate fanbases in the sport. But what they don’t yet have is proven cohesion under their new identity. That cohesion must come from within — from players taking ownership, from coaches communicating clearly, and from the entire program embracing a new era while honoring the past.
The road ahead will test Alabama in ways they haven’t experienced in over a decade. The challenge won’t be just outplaying Georgia or out-scheming Texas. It will be outlasting the internal pressures, expectations, and adjustments that come with change.
In that sense, Pate is right. The 2025 Alabama Crimson Tide won’t be defined by what their opponents do to them — but by what they do to themselves.
