Four factors Alabama hasn't improved on in 2025

The No. 8 Alabama Crimson Tide hoped to overcome the disappointment of last season with a strong win at the Florida State Seminoles. That disappointment would continue into the new season on Saturday.

Alabama had no answer for Florida State as the team looked physically and mentally overmatched. The Tide would suffer their first season-opening loss since 2001. It is also the fifth loss for second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer.

The performance highlights four key factors that Alabama encountered last season that remain problems this season.

1. Offense looks unprepared

Many Tide fans were hopeful that with a new quarterback and offensive line, the offense would be more proficient. New starting quarterback Ty Simpson looked frazzled and in a constant state of confusion. A good portion of his throws were short and off-target. There were times he could’ve found more big plays by rushing for more yards, but chose to pass.

Alabama ran the ball well in its first scoring drive and went away from the ground attack afterward. OC Ryan Grubb limited the offense with his play-calling by sticking to the passing game.

The offense was limited and unable to answer back against an aggressive Seminoles defense.

2. Poor play from the offensive line

A good portion of the Tide’s problems on Saturday could be traced back to the poor play from the offensive line. Florida State’s defense accounted for three sacks and seven tackles for loss.

The poor play of the offensive line continued into Game 1 of this season. Left tackle Kadyn Proctor continues to struggle against speedy and shifty edge-rushers like on Saturday. Even though the opposing defense wasn’t making plays in the backfield, it was creating enough to force bad throws or change courses in run plays.

3. Bad effort or late reactions from the defense

While the offense struggled in execution, the defense struggled with the simple tasks. A good portion of the defenders read the plays wrong and took bad pursuit angles. The key players didn’t get their defensive plays in time. 

The losses to Vanderbilt and Tennessee last season showed a lot of defensive players missing tackles, making bad reads and taking bad pursuit angles. Much of the lack of effort or focus relates to coaching. 

It’s a good reason why the Seminoles rushed for 230 yards and four touchdowns on 49 carries.

4. Alabama doesn't possess the mental toughness

Potentially the biggest difference in the DeBoer era and the Nick Saban era from 2007 to 2023 is the mentality. Most of Saban’s defenses enjoyed the term "murderball" and played with relentless effort. With DeBoer, the Tide have a lack of heart, effort and tough mentality.

Alabama is dominated at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, shows poor effort and doesn’t have the drive to spark a comeback. 

One play in Week 1, for example, was a bad misread and a poor pursuit angle from safety Bray Hubbard. A play like this would have Saban and his coaching staff fuming on the sidelines, but it goes unnoticed with DeBoer and his staff. 

Whether the mentality stemming from DeBoer shifting from the Pac-12 to the SEC is unproven, Alabama still looks lifeless at times. It used to be the bully, but now, it has become the one who is bullied.