Expert top 25 poll highlights why Alabama is the team to watch as Ohio State’s top competition as CFP nears
The Alabama Crimson Tide ranks fourth in the AP top 25 poll after winning its fourth consecutive game against a fellow-ranked opponent. Despite Alabama doing everything possible to overcome a Week 1 loss to Florida State, the voters still give more benefit of the doubt to Texas A&M and Indiana. But our expert poll is […]
The Alabama Crimson Tide ranks fourth in the AP top 25 poll after winning its fourth consecutive game against a fellow-ranked opponent. Despite Alabama doing everything possible to overcome a Week 1 loss to Florida State, the voters still give more benefit of the doubt to Texas A&M and Indiana. But our expert poll is different than what media members who don’t want all of the games say.
The A to Z Sports expert panel of voters put Alabama third overall. They’re behind Ohio State, who netted all 12 first-place votes for the first time this 2025 season. Time remains for Alabama to climb even higher.
That could happen as soon as this weekend. While Alabama gets a break by playing South Carolina this week instead of another white hot power program, the Tide will watch A&M face LSU. It’s possible another top-five loss this season will help Alabama.
Alabama lands in top three of expert A to Z Sports top 25 poll
Alabama ranked as high as second overall on my personal rankings because I won’t overvalue a team losing if the rest of their resume is that strong. The Tide has proven they’re no longer the same version of themselves as they were in Week 1, and this version of Kalen DeBoer’s team is quite impressive.
Here’s what our expert staff had to say about Alabama’s rise.
“Our A to Z Sports staff actually recognized the fact that Alabama has won six games in a row, defeating four highly ranked SEC opponents in the last four games alone–so we ranked the Crimson Tide third overall where they belong.”
“Alabama is coming off a tremendous run that makes their Week 1 loss even more baffling than it was in the moment. I’m willing to throw that result out after watching Kalen DeBoer rapidly develop Ty Simpson into a Heisman Trophy contender and projected top 2026 NFL Draft pick. This version of the Tide quickly found the discipline, playmaking, and toughness that plagued it in 2024. When combined with their deep roster, that is what makes them higher on my board.”
