Where Alabama Lands in 247Sports’ Preseason SEC Football Poll & Predicted Order of Finish
With the 2025 college football season looming, 247Sports released its annual preseason SEC media poll, giving fans an early peek at how analysts see the conference shaping up. The Alabama Crimson Tide, now heading into a new era post-Nick Saban, still command plenty of respect—but they are no longer the automatic favorites they once were.
According to the poll, Alabama is projected to finish **4th overall** in the SEC, behind **Texas**, **Georgia**, and **LSU**. Texas took the top spot in their first year as an SEC member, a statement in itself about how loaded the conference has become. Georgia remains a national powerhouse, while LSU’s rising talent pool keeps them in the thick of the race.
Alabama also received **29 first-place votes**, the third-highest total in the poll. That shows media members still view the Crimson Tide as a potential title threat—just not the overwhelming favorite as they were in Saban’s heyday.
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### Why Alabama’s Ranking Matters
Alabama landing fourth may come as a slight surprise to fans used to top-two finishes. But with a new head coach and some uncertainty at quarterback, there’s understandable caution around their projections. Still, the team is far from in a rebuilding mode. The roster remains one of the most talented in the country, especially on defense and along the offensive line.
A handful of key returners and a strong recruiting class have Alabama poised for a competitive campaign, even with some early challenges. The SEC schedule won’t do them any favors, but if they can string together a few big wins, they’ll likely outperform their preseason rank.
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### Full Predicted Order of Finish (SEC)
1. Texas
2. Georgia
3. LSU
4. Alabama
5. South Carolina
6. Florida
7. Ole Miss
8. Texas A\&M
9. Tennessee
10. Oklahoma
11. Auburn
12. Missouri
13. Vanderbilt
14. Arkansas
15. Kentucky
16. Mississippi State
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### What To Watch for in 2025
**Quarterback battle**: Alabama’s quarterback situation is a question mark. Whoever earns the job will have to step up quickly to handle a brutal early-season stretch.
**New coaching dynamics**: The post-Saban era begins. While expectations are still sky-high, the new staff will need to prove they can maintain the program’s elite standard.
**SEC gauntlet**: Alabama’s schedule includes several top-10 opponents. Matchups against Georgia, Texas, and LSU will be season-defining.
**Defensive leadership**: Alabama’s front seven and secondary are among the best in the country. Expect this unit to be the team’s backbone in early games as the offense finds its rhythm.
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### Final Thoughts
Alabama may not be at the top of the preseason SEC rankings, but don’t mistake that for a fall from relevance. The Crimson Tide are still loaded with talent, and their fourth-place projection reflects more about the SEC’s increasing competitiveness than any major step back.
Fans should view this as an opportunity—a challenge for the team to prove doubters wrong and climb back into championship contention. If things click early, Alabama could absolutely be in Atlanta come December.
Let me know if you’d like a breakdown of their full 2025 schedule or key players to watch this season!
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