Alabama’s Rise, Auburn and Tennessee’s Fall: A Changing Tide in the SEC
As Alabama gears up for the Rose Bowl clash with Indiana, there’s more on the line than just a shot at the national title. A win would send shockwaves through the college football world-not just because it would be a surprise to some outside observers, but because it would mark a definitive turning point in the post-Nick Saban era.
Under Kalen DeBoer, the Crimson Tide aren’t just surviving the transition-they’re thriving. And while a loss wouldn’t derail the momentum DeBoer has built, a win would be a statement: Alabama isn’t rebuilding.
It’s reloading.
But while Alabama appears to be rising again, two of its longtime SEC rivals-Tennessee and Auburn-are heading in the opposite direction.
Tennessee: From Offensive Juggernaut to Inconsistency
Tennessee’s season ended with a narrow 30-28 loss to Illinois in the Music City Bowl, capping off an 8-5 campaign that left fans frustrated and looking for answers. The mood around Knoxville is mixed-there’s cautious optimism with the hiring of Jim Knowles as the new defensive coordinator, but real questions remain about the direction of the program under Josh Heupel.
Back in 2022, Heupel had the Vols flying high with an 11-2 record and an SEC-best 43.4 points per game in conference play. But since then, the offensive fireworks have dimmed.
Tennessee averaged just 24.4 points in 2023, 25 in 2024, and 34.3 this season-numbers that, while not terrible, don’t scream dominance. That 34.3-point average in 2025 is nearly identical to Heupel’s first season in 2021, when the Vols went 7-6.
And perhaps most concerning for Tennessee fans: not a single win this year came against a ranked opponent.
The Vols still have talent and a coach with a proven offensive track record, but the SEC isn’t standing still. If other teams have figured out how to limit Heupel’s system, Tennessee could be in for a longer rebuild than expected.
Auburn: A Program in Freefall
If Tennessee’s trajectory is uncertain, Auburn’s situation is downright alarming.
Before the Tigers made the move to hire Alex Golesh, there was hope-maybe even expectation-that Auburn could turn things around after a rocky stretch under Hugh Freeze. But that optimism has been replaced by concern, and for good reason.
The program has been hit hard by the transfer portal, with 27 players heading out the door, including former 5-star talents Deuce Knight and Cam Coleman. When top recruits start leaving en masse, it’s not just a roster issue-it’s a red flag about the program’s stability.
Recruiting hasn’t helped ease the anxiety. Auburn’s 2026 class currently sits at No. 34 nationally and 14th in the SEC. That’s not the kind of ranking that fuels a quick turnaround in a conference where talent is king.
The mood among Auburn faithful? Grim.
Some have gone as far as to describe the Tigers as a “once-powerful program now an afterthought that can’t get out of its own way.” That’s a harsh assessment, but one that reflects the growing frustration on The Plains.
A Shifting Power Balance in the SEC
What we’re seeing is a shift in the SEC landscape. Alabama, after decades of dominance under Saban, could’ve easily slipped into mediocrity during a coaching transition.
Instead, they’ve stayed competitive and now look poised to contend again. Meanwhile, two of their fiercest rivals are dealing with instability, uneven performances, and major questions about their future.
For Tennessee, the next step is figuring out whether Knowles can fix a defense that hasn’t held up its end of the bargain and whether Heupel can evolve his offense to stay ahead of SEC defenses. For Auburn, the challenge is even more fundamental: stabilizing the roster, regaining recruiting momentum, and reestablishing an identity in a conference that’s only getting tougher.
As 2025 comes to a close, Alabama fans have reason to believe the program’s next chapter could be just as successful as the last. For Auburn and Tennessee, the new year brings more questions than answers.