The Alabama Crimson Tide opened the year with an embarrassing 31-17 loss to the Florida State Seminoles, but they’ve done their best to overwrite it with back-to-back offensive explosions. They thorttled the UL-Monroe Warhawks 73-0 before dropping 38 on the Wisconsin Badgers’ typically solid defense. But what does the latest victory mean for their College Football Playoff chances?
Ryan Williams’ Explosive Performance Propels Alabama Back Into CFP Contention
The Ride roared out to a 21-0 lead by halftime, asserting their dominance through the air. While the ground game finished with just 72 yards and one score on 22 carries, QB Ty Simpson, WR Ryan Williams, and Co. erupted for 382 yards and touchdowns through the air.
Simpson completed 24 of 29 passes, dicing up Wisconsin’s defense all over the field. He looked Williams’ way early and often, as the 18-year-old Biletnikoff hopeful deserves, connecting on five passes for 165 yards and two scores, including this acrobatic 41-yard scamper into the end zone:
Watch ya ankles. 👀@Ryanwms1
📺: ABC pic.twitter.com/xaAIYyXCSI
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) September 13, 2025
While we should temper expectations a tad, as Wisconsin was on their backup QB and only defeated the Miami RedHawks and Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, it’s clear Kalen DeBoer’s squad isn’t rolling over this season.
According to PFSN’s College Football Playoff Meter, the Tide saw major raises in their odds across the board, the exact opposite of the Clemson Tigers.
- Make the SEC Championship: 20.4% (+11.7% from before kickoff)
- Win the SEC Championship: 13.1% (+9.3%)
- Make the CFP: 14.1% (+3.1%)
- Make the National Championship: 4.1% (+2.5%)
- Win the National Championship: 2.1% (+1.4%)
Nevertheless, the road won’t be easy, as they face seven AP-ranked teams this season: No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs, No. 25 Missouri Tigers, No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers, No. 11 South Carolina Gamecocks, No. 3 LSU Tigers, No. 13 Oklahoma Sooners, and No. 24 Auburn Tigers.
KEEP READING: Kalen DeBoer Lauds ‘Hungry’ Ryan Williams’ Comeback, Says Ty Simpson Has Risen to the Occasion
The gauntlet of ranked opponents ahead makes Alabama’s early-season momentum all the more crucial. The Crimson Tide’s ability to build on Simpson’s and Williams’ electric performances will determine whether they can navigate one of college football’s most difficult schedules en route to the postseason.
While the painful loss to Florida State still stings, with DeBoer’s offensive system clicking and Simpson getting his feet wet, Bama’s championship window isn’t closed. If they can maintain this explosive form through their brutal SEC slate, don’t be surprised to see the Tide riding Williams’ brilliance all the way back to playoff contention.
