Can a Team Thrive Without a Running Game? Alabama’s 2025 Season and the Lessons of History
Let’s start with a bold statement: Alabama’s 2025 season was a masterclass in how to succeed despite a glaring weakness. Personally, I think what makes this particularly fascinating is how a program known for its dominance managed to stay afloat—and even make the playoffs—with one of the worst rushing attacks in the country. It’s like watching a champion boxer win a fight with one hand tied behind their back. But here’s the bigger question: Can this kind of success be sustained, or is it a one-off miracle?
From my perspective, the conversation around Alabama’s running game has been both overblown and under-analyzed. Yes, the numbers were ugly—bottom 20 in rushing PPA, no 100-yard games, and endless questions in press conferences. But what many people don’t realize is that this isn’t entirely unprecedented in college football. Teams have survived—and even thrived—with similar deficiencies before. The real question is: What does history tell us about their chances moving forward?
The Rare Breed: Good Teams with Bad Rushing Attacks
One thing that immediately stands out is how rare it is for a top-25 team to have such a poor running game. In the last decade, only a handful of teams have pulled this off. Iowa did it twice in the 2020s, but their success was built on a suffocating defense and a style of play that feels more like survival than dominance. Clemson in 2016 and Oklahoma State in 2015 are more interesting cases, but even they relied on exceptional quarterback play and high-volume passing attacks.
What this really suggests is that Alabama’s 2025 season wasn’t just an anomaly—it was a testament to their ability to adapt. But adaptation only gets you so far. If you take a step back and think about it, the teams that followed up a weak rushing season with success all had one thing in common: they addressed the issue head-on. Clemson, for example, went from a mediocre rushing attack in 2016 to a playoff contender in 2017 thanks to the emergence of Travis Etienne. Oklahoma State saw a similar turnaround with Justice Hill in 2016.
The Freshman Factor: Alabama’s Path Forward
This raises a deeper question: Can Alabama replicate that kind of turnaround? In my opinion, the answer hinges on their incoming talent. EJ Crowell and Trae’Shawn Brown are the names to watch. If either of them can step up and provide the kind of impact Etienne or Hill did, Alabama could be looking at a very different story in 2026. But here’s the catch: relying on freshmen is always a gamble.
What makes this particularly intriguing is the comparison between Ty Simpson and DeShaun Watson. Both quarterbacks share similar physical traits, but Watson’s ability to improvise was on another level. Still, Simpson’s potential is undeniable, and if he can take a leap forward, it could mask some of the rushing game’s deficiencies—at least in the short term.
The Broader Trend: Is the Running Game Overrated?
A detail that I find especially interesting is how the game has evolved. In the 2010s, teams like Clemson ran 80+ plays per game, relying on volume to compensate for inefficiency. Today, that approach feels outdated. The rules have changed, defenses have adapted, and the value of a dominant running game isn’t what it used to be.
But here’s where it gets tricky: while you can win without a great running game, it’s hard to sustain success without one. Look at Iowa—they pulled off two 10-win seasons with terrible rushing attacks, but both were followed by 8-5 seasons. The lack of balance eventually caught up with them. Alabama, however, isn’t Iowa. They have the recruiting power, coaching pedigree, and quarterback talent to avoid that fate—if they play their cards right.
The Optimist’s Case: Why Alabama Could Bounce Back
Personally, I’m cautiously optimistic. The comparison to Clemson 2016 feels apt, not just because of the stats but because of the program’s DNA. Alabama has a history of reloading, not rebuilding. If the offensive line improves—and there’s no reason to think it won’t—and one of those freshman running backs breaks out, the Tide could be right back in the playoff conversation.
What many people don’t realize is that Alabama’s 2025 season wasn’t a failure; it was a stress test. They proved they could win ugly, which is a skill in itself. Now, the question is whether they can win beautifully again.
The Pessimist’s Case: What If It Doesn’t Work?
On the flip side, there’s a real risk of stagnation. If the running game doesn’t improve, Alabama could find themselves in a similar situation to Florida in the mid-2010s—a program stuck in neutral, unable to take the next step. The retention of offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has already raised eyebrows, and if the rushing attack remains a liability, the calls for change will only grow louder.
Final Thoughts: The Future Is Unwritten
In the end, Alabama’s 2025 season is a reminder that even the greatest programs have flaws. What matters is how they address them. From my perspective, the historical precedent offers both hope and caution. Teams like Clemson and Oklahoma State show that a turnaround is possible, but it’s far from guaranteed.
If you ask me, the key will be patience. Alabama fans are used to instant results, but this might be a year of rebuilding—even if they’re still competing at a high level. The real test will be whether they can strike the right balance between their passing game and a rejuvenated running attack.
One thing is certain: 2026 will be a defining year for the Tide. Will they rise to the occasion, or will they become another cautionary tale? Only time will tell. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from studying college football, it’s this: Never bet against Alabama.
