Alabama’s Wild Ride to the Playoff: From Week 1 Chaos to DeBoer’s Steady Hand
If you’ve been following Alabama football this season, you’ve probably felt every emotion under the sun - frustration, disbelief, maybe even a little nausea - and now, with the Crimson Tide locked in as the No. 9 seed in the College Football Playoff, there's one more feeling creeping in: anticipation.
This 2025 Alabama season hasn’t just been a football campaign - it’s been a full-blown rollercoaster. And with a first-round clash against Oklahoma just four days away, the ride isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
A Season That’s Been Anything But Ordinary
Let’s rewind to late August. Alabama came into the year with expectations - as they always do - but those expectations took a gut punch right out of the gate.
A 31-17 loss to Florida State in Week 1 sent shockwaves through Tuscaloosa. The reaction?
Pure chaos. Fans were questioning everything from play-calling to Kalen DeBoer’s job security.
National pundits chimed in, some even wondering if DeBoer would make it to October. The idea of Nick Saban being pulled out of retirement wasn’t just whispered - it was shouted across social media and sports talk shows.
It felt like the sky was falling.
But here’s the thing about Alabama - and DeBoer - they didn’t flinch.
The Turnaround Nobody Saw Coming
After that opening stumble, Alabama didn’t just recover - they went on a mission. The Tide rattled off a string of wins that reminded everyone why this program is never out of the conversation.
They beat Georgia in Athens - no easy feat - and strung together four straight wins against ranked opponents. They handled LSU, pulled off a gritty comeback against South Carolina, and capped it with a gutsy Iron Bowl win that showed just how far this team had come.
That early-season panic? It started to look pretty foolish.
The DeBoer Distraction
While Alabama was surging on the field, another storyline was building off of it. Kalen DeBoer’s name suddenly became hot property in the coaching carousel.
Two blue-blood programs - Penn State and Michigan - came calling. And while DeBoer didn’t entertain the noise publicly, the speculation was everywhere.
Social media ran wild. Sports shows debated his future.
Fans held their breath.
But through it all, DeBoer stayed steady. He shut down the Penn State rumors, then did the same when Michigan’s interest surfaced.
And he didn’t just say the right things - he backed it up with action. He's already locked in the No. 4 recruiting class for 2026, showing he’s not just coaching for the now - he’s building something for the future.
Eyes on Oklahoma
Now, the focus shifts back to the field. Alabama heads to Norman with a chance to avenge back-to-back losses to Oklahoma, a team that’s had their number in recent years. It hasn’t mattered who’s been under center or on the sideline - the Sooners have found a way to outplay the Tide.
But this Alabama team feels different. They’ve been tested.
They’ve been doubted. And they’ve responded.
Looking Ahead
Regardless of what happens against Oklahoma, Kalen DeBoer has made one thing clear: he’s staying in Tuscaloosa. And that might be the most important win of the season for Alabama fans. After a year of noise, rumors, and wild momentum swings, the program has found stability in its head coach - and that’s no small thing in today’s college football landscape.
The 2025 season won’t be remembered just by how it ends. It’ll be remembered for the journey - the chaos of Week 1, the climb back into the playoff picture, and the coach who weathered the storm and kept his team believing.
Now, it’s Oklahoma on deck. And if the last few months have taught us anything, it’s this: don’t count Alabama out.