Kalen DeBoer, Alabama Drop to Lowest AP Top 25 Poll Ranking Since 2008 After FSU Upset

Alabama dropped to its lowest AP Top 25 Poll ranking in 17 years after Kalen DeBoer's program was upset by Florida State in last Saturday's season opener.

The Crimson Tide came in at No. 21 in Tuesday's poll, marking the program's lowest ranking since Nick Saban's second season in 2008, according to Sports-Reference.

Alabama had won 23 straight season-opening games prior to Saturday's 31-17 loss to FSU.

The Crimson Tide was last ranked as low as No. 24 during the 2008-09 preseason, which came after the program had ended the 2007-08 campaign with four straight losses.

Saban's team went on to steadily climb the rankings throughout the season, reaching No. 2 by Week 6 and No. 1 by Week 11 of the 2008-09 campaign.

When Saban retired following the 2023-24 season, the Crimson Tide were granted a No. 5 ranking heading into DeBoer's first campaign. Alabama ultimately last season ranked No. 17.

The Crimson Tide climbed back up to No. 8 this preseason, only to fall outside the top 20 following a demoralizing season-opening loss that saw FSU begin celebrating with two minutes still remaining on the clock.

DeBoer said after Saturday's loss that he would still "choose to believe we've got a good football team."

The second-year head coach went on to acknowledge the loss would mean an "uphill climb" into the 12-team playoff bracket.

"Last year isn't this year. And it's going to be an uphill climb for us, but you can't think of it, the big scope of things," DeBoer said. "You've got to focus on the moment."

DeBoer holds a 6-4 career record against unranked teams with the Crimson Tide, while Saban held a 124-4 mark against unranked opponents, per ESPN.

In order to keep his team in the AP Top 25, DeBoer will need to improve that record next Saturday when Alabama returns to action against the Sun Belt's Louisiana-Monroe.