Disappointing Seasons for Alabama, Georgia, and Auburn Reflected in the AP Poll
The latest Associated Press (AP) college football poll has delivered a sobering reality check for three of the Southeastern Conference’s most storied programs — Alabama, Georgia, and Auburn — all of whom have endured underwhelming campaigns this season.
For Alabama, long considered a perennial powerhouse under head coach Nick Saban, the drop in the rankings marks one of the steepest in recent memory. Struggling with inconsistency on both sides of the ball, the Crimson Tide have suffered critical defeats that have put their College Football Playoff hopes in jeopardy.
Georgia, coming off back-to-back national championships, has also faced a stark decline. Injuries to key players, a less dominant defense, and missed opportunities in close games have left the Bulldogs far from their usual commanding presence in the poll. Their fall from the top tier has surprised fans and analysts alike, raising questions about whether their dynasty run has finally met a stumbling block.
Auburn’s struggles have been even more pronounced. The Tigers, amid a rebuilding phase under new coaching leadership, have failed to find a consistent rhythm offensively and defensively. Costly turnovers and lapses in execution have translated into disappointing results, pushing them further down in the AP standings.
While these programs remain respected for their rich traditions and elite recruiting pipelines, this season’s AP poll reflects a shifting balance of power within college football. With other programs surging ahead, Alabama, Georgia, and Auburn now face the challenge of regrouping and finishing strong to salvage pride and momentum heading into next year.
For fans of the SEC giants, the 2025 season has been a humbling reminder that even the most dominant programs are not immune to setbacks — and that rebuilding the road to the top is never
guaranteed.