With football spring practice now ending for most teams, it’s time to look forward to the future.
With some starters returning, a No. 3-ranked recruiting class, and a quarterback battle underway, there is a lot to look forward to throughout the offseason up to the season opener.
After many disappointing moments last season, the hopes are higher with a new offensive coordinator and quarterback. Now it’s time to take an early look at the schedule.
Week 1: at Florida State (Last season: 2-10)
This is a very intriguing matchup for Alabama to start the season, and it’s a good matchup at that. This could be a bit more challenging first game, but it could also provide an early indication of how the season will unfold entirely.
Although Florida State finished 2-10 last season, the Seminoles are not to be underestimated.
Head coach Mike Norvell will be entering his fifth year with the program, but the offensive and defensive coordinators will be new to the team. Norvel brought in former Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn as OC, and Tony White as DC.
Playing at Doak Campbell Stadium can be dangerous, but the Crimson Tide survived Death Valley and Camp Randall last year. However, this will be a new Crimson Tide team led by a new starting quarterback.
Led by new coordinators and players, Florida State appears poised for a better year, with its quarterback battle likely coming down to Brock Glenn or transfer Thomas Castellanos. The team also secured transfer receivers Squirrel White and Duce Robinson.
Alabama still appears to have an advantage in talent, depth, and experience. The game could very likely be close and nerve-racking, but the Crimson Tide already holds an 11.5-point advantage in early betting markets.
Week 2: Louisiana Monroe (Last season: 5- 7)
Second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer’s first matchup with Louisiana Monroe will not go like former head coach Nick Saban’s did, which was a disappointing 21-7 upset.
This will not be a good ULM team. Alabama has the advantage in every aspect of this game, and it should dominate to prove so.
This is a good matchup for Alabama in Week 2, not as easy as a random FCS team, but manageable enough to allow the Crimson Tide to keep rolling.
Week 3: Wisconsin (Last season: 5-7)
Head coach Luke Fickell will be entering his third year with the Badgers after being hired in 2022, after taking Cincinnati to the playoff in 2021 where the Bearcats lost to Alabama.
In addition to the 2021 playoff game, Fickell got to face the Crimson Tide last year when Wisconsin hosted Alabama in Week 3 of 2024. The Badgers lost 42-10, and they went on to finish the season 5-7.
Wisconsin has not been what it hoped to be under Fickell, but the team can reach that point. However, it won’t happen this season.
The Badgers are bringing in the No. 8 recruiting class in the Big Ten, with only three of those players being transfers. Wisconsin does not yet have the experience or talent to walk into Tuscaloosa and take down Goliath.
Week 5: at Georgia (Last season: 11-3)
When the Crimson Tide and the Bulldogs faced off this past season in Tuscaloosa, it instantly became a classic and one of the best games of the season.
This time, Alabama will have to travel to Athens. However, both teams are dealing with uncertainty at the quarterback position.
Although it is looking like it will be a matchup between Alabama’s Ty Simpson and Georgia’s Gunner Stockton. Neither quarterback will have much experience.
As long as being away from home doesn’t bother the Crimson Tide too much, Alabama is in a very good position to secure back-to-back wins against Georgia, thanks to its experienced receiving core and talented young defense. Georgia will likely face offensive struggles yet again.
Week 6: Vanderbilt (Last season: 7-6)
Alabama will be hosting the Commodores in Tuscaloosa this season after suffering a 40-35 upset in Nashville last season, as Alabama went into the game ranked No. 1 for the first time in the DeBoer era.
Mistakes were made, but they were particularly egregious ones. However, a precise game plan by Vanderbilt and quarterback Diego Pavia enabled them to exploit a young Alabama defense under a new defensive coordinator.
That won’t happen again this time. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack will have the defense ready, one with more experience and chemistry.
Week 7: At Missouri (Last season: 10-3)
Alabama took on the Tigers this past season, shutting them out 34-0 and dominating every facet of the game. If the Tigers had a chance to win, it was then.
Losing their starting quarterback, Brady Cook, to the draft will hurt them and limit their quarterback capability, forcing them to turn to an inexperienced quarterback.
Alabama’s defense also had no problem locking up their star receiver, Luther Burden III, holding him to only 3 catches for 3 yards.
The Crimson Tide’s explosive offense and heavy hitting defense should ultimately be just a little too much for Missouri in their own house.
Week 8: Tennessee (Last season: 10-3)
Alabama suffered a tough loss to Tennessee last season inside Neyland Stadium, but following a surprising announcement that the Vols would be moving on from quarterback Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee will now be scrambling to settle its quarterback situation.
With the Volunteers facing a tough Tuscaloosa crowd and an unexpected unfamiliarity at the quarterback position, Alabama is well-positioned to avenge its loss to Tennessee.
The Vols only won the last game by 3 points anyway, after a lot of struggles from Alabama on the offensive side of the ball, particularly at the quarterback position.
Week 9: At South Carolina (Last season: 9-4)
The game against the Gamecocks inside of Bryant-Denny last season felt way closer than it should’ve been after Alabama won 27-24.
However, South Carolina was a strong team, and they will likely be again this year. With Shane Beamer at the helm of Gamecocks football, they are never to be underestimated.
Going into Columbia won’t be easy for Alabama. Although it is in a good position to win the game, if they aren’t careful, the fans can easily capture the energy, making this a possible trap game for Alabama.
Week 11: LSU (Last season: 9-4)
When Alabama went into Death Valley last season, there seemed to be some uncertainty around Alabama’s capability to walk out with a win after some struggles before the game.
However, Alabama walked in and looked untouchable, winning 42-13.
Things will be different this time around, though. The key to winning last year was quarterback Jalen Milroe’s ability to scramble, and the Crimson Tide will be losing that now.
LSU will still have a lot to be desired on offense, but with star linebacker Harold Perkins returning from injury, their defense will be in a good position.
The Crimson Tide should have enough to force the Tigers out with a loss, but this game could be a lot closer than it was last season.
Week 12: Oklahoma (Last season: 6-7)
After a stunning 24-3 loss to Oklahoma in Norman last year, the Sooners will make the trip to Tuscaloosa to face the Crimson Tide now.
Oklahoma has been building over the offseason; they shouldn’t have gone 6-7 last season, and they surely won’t go 6-7 this year. Oklahoma is poised to be a force.
The Crimson Tide will need to review what went wrong last season and ensure that the exact offensive breakdown doesn’t happen again, though.
This could easily be a game that fans and players alike underestimate. The game could go either way when it arrives on that Saturday, but Alabama should have the edge at home.
Week 13: Eastern Illinois (Last season: 3-9 in the FCS)
There should be no questions before, during, or after the game is over. There is no reason Alabama should not dominate from start to finish and add to its win column in Week 13.
Week 14: At Auburn (Last season: 5-7)
Although Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze hasn’t achieved much in his time with the Tigers, he has managed to recruit decently, finishing with a top-10 class for 2025.
That, and the magic at Jordan-Hare, is what the Tigers will rely on to keep them in the fight. Although Alabama beat them last season 28-14, it doesn’t matter how good Auburn is; Alabama fans know that when it comes to playing in the plains, anything can happen.
Alabama, as most of the time, should beat the Tigers. However, as Alabama travels to Jordan-Hare with Auburn bringing in some talented players and Oklahoma transfer quarterback Jackson Arnold, who defeated Alabama last season, it seems like anything is possible.
