ESPN thinks this game will make or break Alabama football’s 2025 season
ESPN released a list of games they think will make or break the season for each projected Top 25 team.
Alabama football will enter the 2025 season in hopes of bouncing back from a disappointing 2024. The Crimson Tide narrowly missed the College Football Playoff as the first team left out thanks to losing three regular season games for the first time since 2010.
There were some impressive victories thrown in, most notably the 41-34 win in Tuscaloosa over Georgia and a blowout win over LSU in Baton Rouge. Along the way, though, Alabama was humbled in a road defeat to Vanderbilt, lost a close game at Tennessee, and then got blown out by Oklahoma in November, the latter of which ultimately cost the Tide a playoff berth.
Alabama football will enter the 2025 season in hopes of bouncing back from a disappointing 2024. The Crimson Tide narrowly missed the College Football Playoff as the first team left out thanks to losing three regular season games for the first time since 2010.
There were some impressive victories thrown in, most notably the 41-34 win in Tuscaloosa over Georgia and a blowout win over LSU in Baton Rouge. Along the way, though, Alabama was humbled in a road defeat to Vanderbilt, lost a close game at Tennessee, and then got blown out by Oklahoma in November, the latter of which ultimately cost the Tide a playoff berth.
If Alabama hoped to prove they deserved a spot in the playoff, they didn’t do a very good job of that in the ReliaQuest Bowl. They suffered a stunning loss to Michigan as a double-digit favorite.
2025 is a big year for Kalen DeBoer. Missing the playoff for a second straight season would not bode well for DeBoer’s support in the fanbase. He’ll be on the hot seat heading into 2026 if the Crimson Tide falls short again.
ESPN released a list of games that will define the season for every projected preseason Top 25 team.
Alabama is ranked 12th in the way-too-early Top 25 and ESPN believes the game that will ultimately make or break the season is the home matchup with Tennessee on October 18th. Alabama lost to Tennessee 24-17 in Knoxville last season and if they want to make a run to the playoff in 2025, they can’t afford a home loss to the Vols.
Alabama’s road schedule is too difficult to afford a home defeat. The Tide plays road games at Florida State, Georgia, Missouri, South Carolina, and Auburn.
It has been 22 years since Tennessee last beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa, the infamous five-OT game in 2003 the Vols emerged victorious 51-43.
ESPN thinks Alabama is the make-or-break game for these opponents
According to ESPN, Alabama will be the season-defining matchup for Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee.
The Georgia one is obvious. Kirby Smart simply can’t afford to lose to Alabama again, especially not in Athens. Smart is 1-6 against Alabama during his tenure. It’s the one black mark on an otherwise squeaky-clean resume. Georgia fans thought Smart’s Alabama problem ended with Nick Saban’s retirement, but it continued last season under DeBoer.
