Heading into the 2025 season, Alabama football carries an unfamiliar label—underrated. ESPN analyst and former Crimson Tide quarterback Greg McElroy believes the program is being overlooked and expects a strong rebound. In 2024, Alabama missed the 10-win mark for the first time since 2007, ending a nearly two-decade streak.
The season also marked the beginning of a new era, as Kalen DeBoer took over following Nick Saban’s retirement. DeBoer’s first year at the helm signaled a transitional phase for the Tide, and expectations dipped. Now, with a season of adjustment behind them, McElroy sees Alabama as a team ready to defy doubts and reclaim its footing.
Analyst Greg McElroy Predicts Bounce-Back Year for Alabama in 2025
Former Alabama quarterback and current ESPN analyst Greg McElroy believes the Crimson Tide are primed for a resurgence in 2025 following a transitional and, at times, turbulent 2024 campaign.
On a recent episode of the “Always College Football” podcast, McElroy explained that the Crimson Tide will be underlooked this season.
“You might be getting in on the ‘underrated’ Alabama team going into the season, which is seldom the case for the Crimson Tide.”
In Kalen DeBoer’s first season at the helm, Alabama posted a nine-win record, marking the first time since 2007 that the program failed to reach double-digit victories. McElroy acknowledged that, for many fans, the season fell short of expectations.
“Now, Alabama last year had what was, I think, a little bit of a disappointing nine-win campaign,” he said. “Disappointing in the eyes of some.”
He pointed to Alabama’s loss of key personnel via the transfer portal and overall program turnover as contributing factors.
“They did [win double-digit games] for a long time under Saban… and then you look at the amount of turnover that they experienced year-over-year.”
Still, McElroy was quick to emphasize that the 2024 season featured several bright spots.
“There were some high moments as well, like when they beat LSU convincingly at their place,” he said. “And of course, the biggest win of the season, that one coming against Georgia.”
While Alabama suffered major setbacks, such as a 40-35 loss to Vanderbilt, a 24-3 defeat to Oklahoma, and a ReliaQuest Bowl loss to Michigan, McElroy remains encouraged by what the Tide returns in 2025.
“I like what they have coming back, I like the continuity,” he said.
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One source of optimism is Alabama’s defense, which returns nearly all its starters from last season. Offensively, DeBoer is overseeing a quarterback battle between Austin Mack, Keelon Russell, and Ty Simpson. As for Alabama’s 2025 schedule, McElroy views the 9.5-win total set by oddsmakers as fair, calling it a high mark in the SEC.
“You look at Bama trying to get to that 10-win plateau again, I like their chances,” he said. However, he stressed the importance of home-field dominance.
“It starts by being undefeated at home, and it also starts by making sure that they play up to their potential on the road, which they did not always do a year ago.”
While the road slate features difficult matchups at Georgia, Missouri, South Carolina, and Auburn, McElroy believes Alabama is positioned to bounce back and reclaim its status among college football’s elite.
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