The Alabama Crimson Tide opened its 2025 campaign with one of the biggest setbacks in recent program history after facing a 31-17 road loss to the previously unranked Florida State Seminoles, and the latest AP Top 25 rankings reflected the fallout.
On Tuesday, the new AP poll revealed that Alabama slid 13 spots, tumbling from No. 8 in the preseason rankings down to No. 21. That drop marked the steepest fall for any team in the Top 25 this week. The Week 1 game result also provided a major boost for Florida State, from being completely outside the Top 25 to leaping all the way up to No. 14.
Crimson Tide Facing Historic Low Under Kalen DeBoer
While the Crimson Tide avoided dropping out of the poll entirely, their Week 1 stumble set an unwanted benchmark. After Bama’s first season-opening loss in 24 years, they dropped to their lowest ranking in 17 seasons.
Defending national champion Ohio State is the new No. 1 in the AP Top 25 college football poll while Alabama plummets to No. 21.
See where other teams rank. https://t.co/7dTTUiSC1j
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) September 2, 2025
Alabama’s streak of 280 consecutive AP Poll appearances remains intact, still the second longest in history behind Nebraska’s run from 1981 to 2002. However, it also marked a new low point for second-year head coach Kalen DeBoer, who inherited the job from Nick Saban with expectations of maintaining national dominance.
Fans Call Out Voters for Keeping Alabama Still Ranked
The Tide’s survival inside the Top 25 sparked many heated reactions online. Many fans questioned why Alabama was ranked after such a lackluster performance.
“Please unrank bama untill further notice,” noted a frustrated fan summing up the widespread belief that Alabama no longer deserves the benefit of the doubt after losing to an unranked Seminoles squad.
Please unrank bama untill further notice.
— Brian Johnson (@KlarkCorn) September 2, 2025
“Why is Bama ranked?” another fan noted.
“Bama at 21 over Tennessee is certainly a choice,” Tennessee supporters said, quick to compare their own situation to Alabama’s, mocking the AP Poll for keeping the Tide ahead despite better early performances elsewhere.
Bama at 21 over Tennessee is certainly a choice 😂
— Austin Walker (@austinwalker71) September 2, 2025
A fan also pointed out the inconsistency in the rankings, questioning why Arizona State and TCU were penalized while Alabama’s spot was protected: “ASU moved down? No TCU? Bama still in??? My GOD”
“Bama still in the top 25. Criminal,” another fan said, making a blunt assessment.
Perhaps the most common reaction, fans across the country echoed this question, seeing Alabama’s Week 1 showing as nowhere near Top 25 caliber: “How is Alabama still ranked?”
The backlash highlights just how far public confidence has slipped in a program that once seemed untouchable under Saban.
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The Crimson Tide now faces the challenge of proving they belong in the rankings. They will return home this Saturday, September 6, to host Louisiana-Monroe, an unranked opponent. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
For DeBoer and Alabama, the upcoming game also represents a chance to regroup, reestablish the rhythm, and silence the growing chorus of skeptics.
