Alabama Football Opens 2025 Season vs Florida State After SEC Challenges

The Southeastern Conference (SEC) remains dominant in college football, men's basketball, and baseball during regular seasons, though recent postseason disappointments, especially in NCAA Baseball, have affected its reputation. Alabama's 2025 football schedule features notable matchups, including a season opener against Florida State in Tallahassee, where both teams and coaches face pressure to prove themselves after mixed recent performances; Alabama aims to return to the College Football Playoff, while Florida State seeks a rebound with new offensive leadership and quarterback. Kentucky Wildcats continue to struggle with recruiting top talent, recently losing a highly-rated local player to Florida, compounding challenges following a difficult 2024 season. Meanwhile, the historic Notre Dame-USC football rivalry faces uncertainty due to scheduling and postseason changes, with USC reconsidering long-term commitments, sparking public backlash given the game's importance to college football and fans. Alabama's football schedule also highlights the significance of rivalry games, as noted by former coach Gene Stallings, emphasizing that while all games matter, rivalries carry unique importance beyond just wins and losses.