4 reasons why Kalen DeBoer will have Alabama in CFP for 2025

Alabama fans want to believe Kalen DeBoer was the right hire for the football program, yet it wants to see marquee improvement this season.

In the first year of the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams, the Crimson Tide missed out in having three regular season losses. DeBoer watched his team lose to Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Oklahoma in moments where the offense or defense was not prepared to dominate the opponent. The defeat it suffered in the ReliaQuest Bowl to Michigan was a culmination of frustration of offensive inconsistency, especially at quarterback, all year.

We saw several situations in 2024 where Tide fans said, “this would not have happened if Nick Saban was still coaching.” The University of Alabama enters its second football campaign of the post-Saban era, but DeBoer looks more locked in on making sure the team succeeds.

Alabama defensive line working to be elite in 2025 season

What has his confidence higher for the coming fall? Four reasons are below.

1. 2024 experience will make DeBoer better

The statement “experience is the best teacher” is accurate, especially in DeBoer’s case.

Alabama did not know how to win from behind in 2024, seeing how it struggled in losses to Tennessee and Oklahoma. It also did not know how to dominate situational football, which led to Vanderbilt beating it in Nashville, Tenn. DeBoer mentioned at the Regions Tradition Pro-Am golf tournament that Alabama ‘has to be better in the crucial moments.’ It all starts with him and his coaching staff assuring the players are better prepared. The 50-year-old will take it upon himself to make sure in-game adjustments and situational football improvements are made.

He got introduced to grown man football last year and it rocked him.

Now, DeBoer is set to respond with what he’s learned.

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2. The addition of Ryan Grubb

Nick Sheridan did what he could with Jalen Milroe, but he is not an elite offensive coordinator.

At least, not yet. Sheridan works better for Alabama as a quarterbacks coach as Ryan Grubb returns with his guy to run the offense. Grubb and DeBoer were highly successful at Sioux Falls, Fresno State, and Washington. Grubb had the Huskies as Pac-12 Champions in 2023, advancing the team to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.

He produced a two-time 4,000-plus yard passer in Michael Penix Jr., and three playmaking wide receivers — Rome Odunze, Jalen McMillan, and Ja’Lynn Polk — who were selected in the 2024 NFL Draft. Grubb’s play-calling benefits more than quarterbacks and receivers.

Dillon Johnson, a running back, totaled 1,195 yards rushing and 16 touchdowns in 2023.

In 2021, Grubb’s offense helped Ronnie Rivers (781 yards) and Jordan Mims (710 yards) of Fresno State both record 700+ yards rushing. He has much more talent to work with at Alabama and his aggressive style should make the Tide much more consistent on offense.

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3. Veteran leadership back on defense

Alabama’s defense is carrying a special vibe into the upcoming season.

Several players have been working all offseason, including Tim Keenan III, Jeremiah Beaman, James Smith, Jordan Renaud, Isaia Faga, Kelby Collins (transfer from Florida), Qua Russaw, Zabien Brown, Dijon Lee, Red Morgan, and more. The defense bought into Kane Wommack’s “Swarm Defense” from the Tennessee matchup to the remainder of the 2024 season.

The 4-2-5 generated takeaways and players are confident they can excel under Wommack.

All the Tide needs is an effective closer to sack quarterbacks. It has players that can perform the role; however, it comes down to who can do it consistently. Alabama has individuals with time on task, yet it is time for these position coaches to pop out marquee production.

This year’s group should be a top-three to top-five group nationally.

4. 2025 schedule

Alabama’s schedule in the fall is tough, but doable.

It has a chance to get revenge on Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Oklahoma with all three matchups being on Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tide also has a home game versus Louisiana State University (LSU) and Wisconsin. It faces Georgia, South Carolina, and Auburn on the road, but 10-2 is the benchmark to make the 12-team CFP. Alabama would have made it in 2024, but it suffered one loss to many in the regular season. Kirby Smart has only beat Alabama once (2022 CFP National Title Game) as Georgia’s head coach since 2016.

Auburn has lost five in a row to Alabama since 2020, including two at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. Alabama won its last matchup in Columbia (S.C.) against the Gamecocks in 2019, 47-23 with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback. The Tide could win all three matchups, but all it needs is to win one to lock itself into a playoff spot. Alabama’s schedule sets up better this time.

Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and writer for The Bama Standard. You can follow him on X via @CoachingMSmith.