Alabama football had its regular season schedule for next year unveiled via SEC Network.
The Crimson Tide missed out on the 12-team College Football Playoff with a 9-3 record, but its focus is on handling Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl and turning the page to next season.
Alabama’s 2025 schedule looks similar to what it faced this year; however, there are some wrinkles. Below are five initial takeaways from the Tide’s regular season schedule for next fall.
1. Alabama faces a familiar foe who’s on FSU’s staff
After four seasons at the University of Central Florida (2021-24), Alabama football will face a very familiar foe to open its 2025 regular season on the coaching staff at Florida State University.
Gus Malzahn was Auburn’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach from 2009 to 2011, and then served as head coach from 2013 to 2020.
He had epic battles against Nick Saban-coached Alabama teams, including victories in 2010, 2013, 2017, and 2019.
Malzahn resigned as UCF’s head coach on Nov. 30 to become the offensive coordinator at FSU.
He is bringing his creativity to help Mike Norvell and beat Kane Wommack’s defense for the Crimson Tide.
2. Alabama has three revenge games at home
Alabama three regular season losses in conference play this year all came on the road.
It dropped matchups to Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Oklahoma away from Bryant-Denny Stadium. All three games will be on Saban Field next year. Kalen DeBoer and the Tide have an opportunity at revenge. Dylan Sampson of Tennessee rushed for 100-plus yards in the Volunteers’ win over Alabama.
He is a draft-eligible junior so it will be interesting to see if he returns to school.
If not, Tennessee will be down a marquee playmaker against the Tide for 2025.
Diego Pavia brought so much excitement to Vanderbilt as a transfer at quarterback. He delivered the Commodores to a massive victory over Alabama and got Vandy to a bowl-eligible season for the first time in a while. Pavia is draft-eligible as well and if does not return, there is a second marquee player that the Tide’s defense won’t worry about next season. Finally, Jackson Arnold of Oklahoma entered the transfer portal.
He only attempted 11 passes versus Alabama, but totaled 100-plus yards rushing in a 24-3 upset victory for the Sooners over the Crimson Tide. Arnold’s decision to leave Oklahoma makes it difficult for the Sooners to find someone who can create the same situation from this year.
Alabama has to be focused, regardless of the moving parts, but it gets all three revenge games at home.
3. Alabama travels to Athens (Ga.) to face UGA for first time since 2015
Does Alabama still own Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.?
We will see next fall as the Crimson Tide travels to face the Georgia Bulldogs next season.
Alabama defeated Georgia in 2008 and in 2015 at Sanford Stadium. The victory in 2008 under Nick Saban started the belief among Tide fans that Alabama could be a dominant program again, while the win in 2015 came in a season where the Tide won a College Football Playoff National Championship. Kirby Smart has not beaten Alabama in Tuscaloosa (Ala.) and has not won at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta (Ga.), so will he finally exercise the demon of the Tide off his back in Athens?
The matchup will be intriguing.
4. Alabama battles a familiar face that’s now the OC at South Carolina
Alabama will travel to Williams-Brice Stadium next season to play South Carolina.
Mike Shula, a former Crimson Tide head coach, served as an offensive analyst for the Gamecocks this year. He returned to Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first time since his coaching days and nearly assisted South Carolina to an upset win.
Alabama escaped with a 27-25 victory, but Shula has now been promoted to offensive coordinator for the Gamecocks.
He will be calling the plays against Kane Wommack and that will be fun.
5. The bye weeks for the Tide are in the same spot as 2024 season
The bye weeks for Alabama are in the same spot next season as they were this year.
Alabama is off the week of Sept. 20 and Nov. 1 for 2025. The first bye week comes before the Georgia game on Sept. 27, while the second one is before LSU on Nov. 8. The Tide excelled in both matchups this year off a bye, defeating the Bulldogs and Tigers.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
