Alabama enters the 2025 season with championship expectations, and the path to the College Football Playoff will be shaped by five pivotal matchups. These games will not only test the Crimson Tide’s roster but also determine whether Nick Saban can once again guide his program to the top of college football.
The first defining test comes early in Week 2 against Texas. The Longhorns, now SEC members, boast a roster loaded with NFL talent and are legitimate national title contenders. A win here would provide Alabama with a marquee victory, while a loss could leave little margin for error the rest of the way.
Georgia looms as perhaps the biggest challenge. If the two meet in the regular season or SEC Championship, the clash will serve as a measuring stick between the sport’s two modern dynasties. For Alabama, beating Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs would not only solidify playoff positioning but also reaffirm Saban’s dominance in the league.
Tennessee remains a rivalry that carries weight regardless of records, but the Volunteers’ rise under Josh Heupel has made the Third Saturday in October meaningful again. Alabama must hold serve here to maintain momentum in the East-West crossover.
The annual showdown with LSU is always fierce, and 2025 should be no different. Brian Kelly has steadily built the Tigers into a perennial contender, and this divisional battle will likely decide who emerges as the SEC West front-runner.
Finally, the Iron Bowl against Auburn is the ultimate litmus test. No matter the records, this rivalry delivers chaos, and Alabama can’t afford a slip-up with playoff stakes in play.
Together, these five games will define Alabama’s 2025 season, shaping not only their playoff hopes but also the continuing narrative of Nick Saban’s legen
dary career.
