👁️🗨️ The One Key Stat Alabama MUST Fix in 2025 for Kalen DeBoer to Reach the CFP
One glaring issue derailed Alabama’s bid for the College Football Playoff in 2024—and it must be corrected in 2025: run-game consistency, specifically addressing their alarmingly high stuff rate.
Jalen Milroe brought elite rushing ability, producing explosive plays. Unfortunately, that upside came alongside a burden of inconsistency. Alabama ranked only in the 22nd percentile nationally in “stuff rate”—meaning over one-fifth of their run plays were stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage . This inefficiency contributed to stalled drives, increased third-and-long situations (averaging nearly eight yards needed per conversion), and ugly turnovers—Milroe alone threw three interceptions in one game .
Against Oklahoma, the issue peaked: 28% of Alabama’s rushes resulted in zero or negative yards, derailing offensive rhythm and pushing pressure onto the passing game .
✅ What’s Being Done?
OC Ryan Grubb, hired from Washington, is known for sleek, efficient run schemes—his Huskies ranked 25th nationally in EPA per rush .
New QB Ty Simpson (or another successor) brings less mobility but possibly more disciplined reads—taking the pressure off questionable designed QB runs .
With Jalen Milroe gone, teams can’t just sell out to stop him. Fresh backfield pieces like Jam Miller have fresh opportunities to solidify consistency .
🛤️ Why It’s Crucial
Improving the stuff rate from the 22nd to at least median in 2025 could break opposing defenses’ resolve, sustain drives, reduce turnovers, and regain control in clutch moments—like last season’s collapse versus Oklahoma, and the upset at Vanderbilt. Grubb’s system, combined with a stabilized QB and backfield, presents Alabama’s clearest path back to dominance.
Bottom line: for DeBoer to restore Alabama’s CFP hopes, fixing run-game consistency isn’t optional—it’s the linchpin. Get that right, and everything else falls into place.
