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Alabama Ahead of SEC Elite in EA Sports College Football 26 Top 25 Teams

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jordan Merritt | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 4:05 PM ET

The new edition of EA Sports College Football is just weeks away, and the ratings for players, teams, and other game aspects are being revealed. On3 has just dropped the top 25 teams in the game, and the Alabama Crimson Tide is at the top of the tree in overall team ratings.

They beat the Texas Longhorns, who were ranked second in the top 25, a surprise to many, with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Penn State Nittany Lions, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish rounding out the top five. The SEC had 12 teams in the top 25, demonstrating the conference's dominance in EA's eyes.

The offense for the Crimson Tide will look a little different than it did in 2025, as shown by the overall rating in the game. Kalen DeBoer's offensive unit is rated 89 , the same as eight other teams. Still, they rank No. 7. It's a fair assessment, with quarterback Ty Simpson not offering much experience, and the wide receiver room could be anything. The offensive line unit could be one of the best in the league.

The defensive rank is what makes them the overall No. 1 team, having the best defense in the game. Alabama's defense is rated 96, two spots above Texas and the Georgia Bulldogs. Just looking through definitive rankings and the media's top-rated players, you will see four to five Alabama defensive players in the picture.

DeBoer and his staff will hope that the EA rating of the team translates onto the field and the Crimson Tide becomes the best in the nation in 2026.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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