As the college football world looks ahead to the 2025 season, all eyes are once again on Tuscaloosa. ESPN has officially released its annual Football Power Index (FPI), and the Alabama Crimson Tide are once again near the top. With a projected FPI rating of 10.10, Alabama is not just in the hunt—they’re being positioned as a national powerhouse primed for dominance. This rating signals a potentially historic season under head coach Kalen DeBoer, who is entering his second year after taking over from the legendary Nick Saban.
The FPI, a predictive model developed by ESPN, evaluates team strength and forecasts performance based on a combination of returning talent, past performance, coaching changes, recruiting rankings, and upcoming schedule. A 10.10 rating indicates that Alabama is expected to be more than 10 points better than an average FBS team on a neutral field. It’s a strong endorsement of the Tide’s talent, depth, and leadership.
A New Era, Same Expectations
When Kalen DeBoer took the reins of Alabama football in 2024, many wondered if he could maintain the standard set by Saban. After a solid transitional year and a top-tier recruiting class, DeBoer appears to be hitting his stride. The 2025 FPI rating affirms that the program hasn’t missed a beat. With quarterback Jalen Milroe returning for another season, alongside a stacked offensive line and a reloaded defense, Alabama looks more than capable of making another College Football Playoff run.
Key Games and Challenges
While the FPI favors Alabama, the Tide’s 2025 schedule isn’t without hurdles. SEC road games at Georgia and LSU loom large, and a non-conference showdown with a rising Texas team could be pivotal for playoff seeding. Despite these tests, ESPN’s FPI projects Alabama as the favorite in nearly every matchup, thanks in large part to elite roster depth and consistency at the most important positions.
National Implications
Alabama’s 10.10 FPI rating ranks them second overall, just behind Ohio State (10.55) and slightly ahead of Michigan (9.85). This tight cluster of top-tier programs sets the stage for what could be one of the most competitive playoff races in recent memory. The expanded 12-team College Football Playoff format only increases the stakes, as a strong FPI can be a valuable indicator in seeding decisions and tiebreakers.
What to Watch
Fans and analysts alike will be watching to see how Alabama navigates its 2025 campaign. Will DeBoer’s system fully flourish in year two? Can Milroe elevate his game into Heisman contention? Will the defense return to the suffocating standards of past Tide units?
If the FPI is any indication, Alabama is poised not just to contend—but to lead. With a 10.10 rating, the Crimson Tide enter 2025 as one of the most complete teams in the nation, a juggernaut with both history and momentum on its side.
For now, all roads to the national title still seem to run through Bryant-Denny Stadium.
