Alabama’s tumble in the AP Top 25 poll was dramatic. After a 31-17 loss to Florida State in its opener, the Crimson Tide slid from No. 8 to No. 21, their lowest ranking since 2010. For a program that set the tone in college football for nearly two decades under Nick Saban, the drop feels like more than just a number.
Florida State was unranked to start the year but jumped all the way to No. 14 on the strength of a controlled win. Quarterback Thomas Castellanos was sharp and the Seminoles dominated the line of scrimmage. Alabama, by contrast, looked flat all afternoon. Quarterback Ty Simpson never settled in and the run game sputtered. As for the the Tide defense, they couldn’t get off the field. The early optimism of a good opening drive faded.
It’s a troubling picture for second-year coach Kalen DeBoer. Last season’s 9-4 finish could be explained after the transition from Saban. This year was supposed to be different in Tuscaloosa. Instead, Alabama showed many of the same issues with sloppy execution and a roster that doesn’t seem to play with the urgency of past Tide teams.
The rest of the AP poll tells a story as well. Ohio State climbed to No. 1 with 55 first-place votes after beating preseason No. 1 Texas, which fell to No. 7. Penn State held at No. 2, followed by LSU, Georgia, and Miami. The SEC still placed 10 teams in the Top 25, but Alabama no longer feels like the league’s frontrunner.
Saban pointed out that teams often make their biggest improvement from Week 1 to Week 2. That may be true, but it’s also clear the landscape has changed. His exit was based on the changes of college football with NIL and the transfer portal. Alabama's advantages are no longer.
The season just started and Alabama has the talent to compete. But the aura of Saban’s Tide is gone. For the first time in nearly 20 years, this team has settled for mediocrity.
MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS:
- Tom Brady helps Shedeur Sanders secure a roster spot in Cleveland
- Colorado legend turned NFL star calls out Deion Sanders’ poor clock management
- Kelce Brothers awkward college photo resurfaces after Taylor Swift engagement
- TCU thrashes UNC, shades Hulu doc in Belichick’s college debut
- Miami legend wants nothing to do with Shannon Sharpe: "I’m shocked at his content"