The Alabama Crimson Tide has a few questions going into the 2025 season. Of course, the quarterback remains on a lot of fans’ minds. While not necessarily a question, but a challenge, is Alabama’s tough road schedule. The Crimson Tide lost three of five games on the road last season. That is not including the 19-13 loss to Michigan in the Reliaquest Bowl. Their 2-4 record away from home added to the disappointment of the fans. The 2024 season featured losses to Vanderbilt, Tennessee, and Oklahoma. The away schedule gets even tougher this season. Alabama will be challenged on the road.
Alabama’s Tough Road Schedule
Opening in Tallahassee
Alabama’s tough road schedule starts with the opener in Tallahassee, Florida, against the Florida State Seminoles. The Crimson Tide will be facing a team that will be looking to rebound from a disappointing 2024 season with just two wins. The Seminole faithful also still hold resentment toward the Crimson Tide after not making the College Football Playoff for the 2023 season.
Alabama holds a 3-1-1 record in the series, but they have never faced Florida State in Tallahassee. The last two meetings took place at neutral sites in Atlanta and Jacksonville. The other three matchups were on Alabama’s field in Tuscaloosa twice and once in Birmingham. The Seminoles will present a familiar foe in Gus Malzahn, who is now the offensive coordinator. Malzahn had three wins versus Alabama as the head coach of the Auburn Tigers. They will feature a new quarterback in Boston College transfer Thomas Castellanos. He is a perfect fit for Malzahn with his dual-threat ability. Those types of quarterbacks were an issue for the Crimson Tide last season.
Another meeting with the Dawgs
One of the best games of 2024 was the matchup between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama built a big 30-7 halftime lead before Georgia made a big comeback. The Bulldogs took a 34-33 lead with Carson Beck connected with Dillon Bell for a 67-yard touchdown. Ryan Williams gave Alabama the win with a 75-yard touchdown reception. Quarterback Jalen Milroe had a big game, throwing for 374 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns.
When Alabama travels to Athens, Georgia, on September 27th, the quarterback situation will be much different for both teams. With Milroe off to the NFL and Beck transferring to Miami, both teams will feature signal callers with limited experience. Ty Simpson should be the quarterback for Alabama. It is expected that Gunner Stockton will be starting for Georgia. Stockton came in for relief of Beck in the SEC Championship, but struggled in the College Football Playoff versus Notre Dame.
Columbia times two
The next two road games for the Crimson Tide will feature trips to Columbia. One in Missouri versus the Tigers and the other versus South Carolina. Alabama defeated Missouri 34-0 in Tuscaloosa in 2024. They shut down the Tigers’ passing attack and just limited them to 72 yards. Missouri will have a new look when Alabama plays them on October 11th. Beau Pribula will be replacing Brady Cook at quarterback, and the Tigers are looking to replace star wide receiver Luther Burden. Alabama dominated on the ground, rushing for 271 yards in the shutout victory. Alabama is 6-2 all-time in the series, and they are 3-0 on the Tigers’ home field.
After the Crimson Tide hosts Tennessee on October 18th, they will travel to one of the most underrated venues in college football. They will head to play South Carolina at William-Brice Stadium. Alabama is 14-3 versus the Gamecocks, and they have a 4-2 record at South Carolina. The last time the Gamecocks defeated Alabama was in 2010 when the Steve Spurrier-led team defeated Nick Saban 35-21. Alabama squeaked by last season with a 27-25 win over South Carolina. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers is getting a lot of hype heading into the season, and the Gamecocks could be a sleeper team for the College Football Playoff.
DeBoer first time at Jordan-Hare
Kalen DeBoer won his first Iron Bowl last season in Tuscaloosa, 28-14. The 2025 edition will be different, though. Anyone in the state of Alabama who follows the rivalry knows it is just different at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn had chances to win the last two on the Plains but were unable to close the door on Alabama. The Crimson Tide were better at the end of game situations.
Alabama leads the all-time series 51-37-1 but is 8-10 on the road. Outside of the importance of the in-state rivalry, the regular season finale could have a lot at stake. The 2025 Iron Bowl could have College Football Playoff implications for the Crimson Tide. There will be several SEC teams attempting to position themselves in the 12-team field, and Alabama will need to be playing its best football at this point in the season. Auburn will be a tough team, and it will be a big game for Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze. He is looking to have a big year three on the plains.
Road record prediction
Alabama’s tough road schedule features five difficult environments this season. With that said, they should come away with a winning record in those contests. Florida State should be a better team, but it will be the first game with a lot of new players. Plus, it’s questionable how the Malzahn offense will look. Trips to Missouri and Auburn should result in wins as well. Missouri should take a step down this season, and until Auburn fixes the quarterback situation, it is difficult to envision them beating Alabama.
Any road losses for Alabama should happen at Georgia and at South Carolina. The Bulldogs will look to show the country they are a championship-quality team. For the Gamecocks, it’s about where they fall on the schedule. That game will follow what is always an emotionally charged game with the Volunteers. Even if Alabama does go 3-2 on the road, the home schedule is very favorable. The only questionable game at home is when the LSU Tigers come to town on November 8th.
Main Image: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
The post Alabama’s Tough Road Schedule appeared first on Last Word on College Football.