Alabama Football Drops to No. 12 in USA TODAY Sports Post-Spring Top 25: DeBoer’s Quarterback Dilemma and Ground Game Woes

The confetti has barely settled on the spring game circuits, and the college football landscape is already shifting. For the Alabama Crimson Tide, the post-spring assessment from USA TODAY Sports delivers a sobering dose of reality. After a tumultuous offseason that saw the end of the Nick Saban era and the beginning of the Kalen DeBoer tenure, the Tide have slipped one spot to No. 12 in the latest top 25 rankings released by veteran analysts Erick Smith and Paul Myerberg.

This marks the first comprehensive re-ranking from the outlet since its way-too-early list dropped the day after the College Football Playoff National Championship in January. While a single-position drop might seem negligible, the context reveals a program still searching for its identity. Alabama now sits one spot below SEC rival Texas A&M (No. 11) and one spot ahead of Michigan (No. 13), setting the stage for a pivotal October showdown in Tuscaloosa.

The Quarterback Conundrum: Austin Mack vs. Keelon Russell

If there is one storyline that has dominated spring practice and will likely define Alabama’s ceiling in 2025, it is the battle under center. Myerberg specifically highlighted the quarterback competition between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell as the primary focus of DeBoer’s spring agenda. And for good reason.

Austin Mack, a transfer who followed DeBoer from Washington, brings the comfort of system familiarity. He knows the offensive verbiage, the progressions, and the rhythm that made DeBoer’s offenses lethal in the Pac-12. Mack is the safe bet—the cerebral signal-caller who limits turnovers and manages the game. However, “safe” does not always beat Georgia or LSU in November.

Enter Keelon Russell. The true freshman from Texas arrived in Tuscaloosa with a reputation for dynamic playmaking. According to Myerberg, Russell “shined” in Alabama’s spring game, showcasing the kind of arm talent and improvisational ability that turns a good offense into a great one. Russell is the higher-ceiling option, the kind of quarterback who can extend plays when the pocket collapses—a skill Alabama desperately needs after a season of offensive stagnation.

Expert Analysis: DeBoer is not new to quarterback battles. He managed the Michael Penix Jr. situation masterfully at Washington. But this is different. This is Alabama, where the margin for error is razor-thin. If DeBoer starts Mack, he gets experience and reliability. If he starts Russell, he gets electricity and risk. Myerberg’s assessment suggests that the battle will “be one to watch in the fall,” implying that no decision is final.

• Austin Mack: System experience, high floor, limited ceiling.
• Keelon Russell: Dynamic playmaker, spring game standout, high ceiling, raw.
• Prediction: Russell wins the job by Week 2, but Mack sees significant snaps early.

Rebuilding the Ground Game: A Dismal Running Attack Must Improve

Perhaps more alarming than the quarterback uncertainty is the state of Alabama’s running game. Myerberg explicitly noted that “improving a dismal running game” is one of the areas that has DeBoer’s full attention. This is a damning indictment for a program historically built on punishing, downhill rushing.

Last season, Alabama’s rushing attack ranked outside the top 40 nationally—a far cry from the days of Derrick Henry, Najee Harris, and Jahmyr Gibbs. The offensive line, once a fortress, was inconsistent. Running backs struggled to find creases. The identity of “Lynch Mob” football seemed a distant memory.

Spring practice was supposed to address this. New offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic has been tasked with rebuilding the trenches. Running backs Justice Haynes and Richard Young have been pushed to develop better vision and pad level. But the results, according to the USA TODAY analysts, remain a work in progress. If Alabama cannot run the ball effectively, the quarterback—whoever it is—will face constant pressure on third-and-long.

Expert Analysis: The Crimson Tide cannot afford to be one-dimensional. In the SEC, defensive coordinators like Georgia’s Glenn Schumann and LSU’s Matt House will feast on a predictable offense. DeBoer’s reputation is built on passing efficiency, but even his Washington teams had a functional run game. Expect a heavy rotation at running back early in the season until someone establishes himself as a bell-cow.

Ryan Coleman-Williams: The Key to Unlocking the Passing Attack

Another critical piece of the puzzle is wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams. Myerberg pointed out that getting him “back to his game-breaking best” is a top priority. Coleman-Williams entered last season as a potential All-American but struggled with consistency and nagging injuries. He showed flashes of brilliance—a 50-yard touchdown catch against Tennessee, a crucial third-down conversion in the Iron Bowl—but he never dominated the way Alabama receivers are expected to.

For DeBoer’s offense to hum, Coleman-Williams must be a threat at all three levels. He has the speed to take the top off a defense and the route-running savvy to work the intermediate zones. If he can regain his 2023 form—when he averaged over 18 yards per catch—he becomes a nightmare for defensive backs. Combine that with a quarterback who can push the ball downfield, and Alabama’s passing attack transforms from pedestrian to explosive.

Expert Analysis: Coleman-Williams is the X-factor. If he plays at an elite level, he masks the offensive line issues and the quarterback inexperience. If he remains inconsistent, Alabama’s offense will struggle to score with the SEC’s elite. DeBoer has a history of developing receivers (Rome Odunze at Washington), so the coaching is there. The question is whether Coleman-Williams can stay healthy and focused for a full season.

Where Alabama Fits in the SEC Hierarchy and the October Showdown

The drop to No. 12 puts Alabama behind traditional rivals like Georgia (expected top-5), LSU (likely top-10), and now Texas A&M (No. 11). The Aggies, under coach Mike Elko, have quietly built a formidable roster. The fact that they are ranked one spot above Alabama—and that the two teams meet on October 24 at Bryant-Denny Stadium—adds significant fuel to an already heated rivalry.

Texas A&M boasts a stout defensive line and a quarterback in Conner Weigman who, when healthy, is one of the SEC’s best. For Alabama, that game is a litmus test. A loss at home to the Aggies would not only drop the Tide further in the rankings but could also effectively eliminate them from College Football Playoff contention before November.

Prediction: Alabama beats Texas A&M in a low-scoring slugfest. The home crowd and DeBoer’s offensive adjustments will be the difference. However, the margin for error is thin. If the running game is still “dismal” by October, the Aggies will win.

Conclusion: A Season of Transition, Not Panic

Let’s be clear: Alabama falling to No. 12 in a post-spring ranking is not a crisis. It is a reflection of reality. The Crimson Tide are in a transition year, learning a new system under a new head coach, breaking in a new quarterback, and rebuilding an offensive line. The talent is still there—Alabama’s recruiting classes remain top-5 nationally. But talent alone does not win championships.

Kalen DeBoer has earned the benefit of the doubt. He turned around Fresno State, built Washington into a national power, and now faces his biggest challenge: keeping Alabama in the elite tier of college football. The quarterback decision will dominate headlines, but the running game and Ryan Coleman-Williams’ resurgence will ultimately determine whether this team is a playoff contender or a New Year’s Six bowl participant.

The post-spring rankings are a snapshot, not a prophecy. By the time the leaves turn in October, Alabama could be back in the top 5—or fighting for survival in the SEC West. One thing is certain: the journey will be fascinating. And for a program accustomed to dominance, a little uncertainty might be exactly what the sport needs.

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Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.