Paul Finebaum Predicts SEC Power Will Be Back in Playoff Contention originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The 2024 college football season was notable for introducing the 12-team College Football Playoff and ushering in significant conference realignment for several key teams.
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It also marked the first season since 2006 that Nick Saban was not coaching the Alabama Crimson Tide. Saban retired after the 2023 season and was succeeded by Kalen DeBoer, who led the Washington Huskies to the 2023 national championship game.
DeBoer’s inaugural season with Alabama did not go as expected, with the Crimson Tide finishing 9-4, the worst performance since Saban’s first year in 2007.
On “The Paul Finebaum Show,” SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum was asked whether he believes Alabama can make a strong comeback in 2025. Finebaum provided his prediction and highlighted a few games that concerns him.
Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) makes a catch against the Michigan Wolverines..Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images
“To me, it looks like 10-2,” Finebaum said. “I think the dangerous games are very obviously Georgia and LSU. Georgia in Athens and LSU at home, I think, are the two trickiest games of the year. I think the other games that make me a little uncomfortable, not totally, I think South Carolina on the road and Auburn on the road.”
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While last season was disappointing, there is optimism for the upcoming season. Alabama has a strong foundation to build upon, as a large portion of its production returns. The Crimson Tide rank No. 35 in the nation, with 63 percent of their overall production coming back.
One major challenge they face is filling the quarterback position. Jalen Milroe, who started for the past two seasons, completed 65 percent of his passes for a total of 5,678 yards, 39 touchdowns and 17 interceptions during that time. He also made a notable impact on the ground, rushing for 1,257 yards and scoring 32 touchdowns.
Ty Simpson, a redshirt junior and former five-star recruit, is the front-runner to take over as the starting quarterback. Throughout his career, he has completed 58 percent of his passes for 381 yards in limited playing time. He is competing for the starting role with Austin Mack, a four-star recruit who followed coach DeBoer from Washington and five-star true freshman Keelon Russell.
Alabama will kick off its season against the Florida State Seminoles at 3:30 p.m. ET on Aug. 30 on ABC.
Related: Paul Finebaum Reveals What Concerns Him About Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
