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 the Tide managed to stay competitive—even making the playoffs—with one of the worst rushing attacks in college football. It’s like watching a boxer win a fight with one hand tied behind their back. But here’s the real question: Can they keep it up, or is this a recipe for eventual disaster?
From my perspective, the conversation around Alabama’s running game has been both overblown and under-analyzed. Yes, the numbers are ugly—bottom 20 in rushing PPA, no 100-yard games, and a constant barrage of criticism from fans and analysts alike. But what many people don’t realize is that this isn’t entirely unprecedented. History is littered with teams that defied the odds, either collapsing under the weight of their weaknesses or finding a way to reinvent themselves.
The Historical Precedent: A Mixed Bag of Outcomes
If you take a step back and think about it, Alabama’s situation isn’t entirely unique. Teams like Iowa, Florida, and even Clemson have faced similar struggles in recent years. But here’s where it gets interesting: their trajectories couldn’t be more different.
Take Iowa, for example. In 2021 and 2023, they finished with 10-4 records despite having one of the worst rushing offenses in the country. Their secret? A stingy defense that carried them through ugly, low-scoring wins. But the following seasons? They dropped to 8-5 both times. This raises a deeper question: Can a team consistently rely on defense and passing alone, or is a balanced offense the only path to long-term success?
On the flip side, Clemson’s 2016 team offers a glimmer of hope. With Deshaun Watson at the helm, they won a national championship despite an inefficient rushing attack. The next year, they retooled, leaned on a freshman running back (Travis Etienne), and made the playoffs again. What this really suggests is that a team with elite quarterback play and the ability to adapt can overcome a weak running game—at least temporarily.
The Oklahoma State Comparison: A Blueprint for Alabama?
One comparison that I find especially interesting is Oklahoma State’s 2015 season. Under Mike Gundy, they went 10-3 with a high-volume passing offense led by Mason Rudolph. Their running game? Abysmal. But the next year, they introduced a freshman sensation, Justice Hill, who revitalized their ground attack. The result? Another 10-3 season, this time with a more balanced offense.
What makes this relevant to Alabama is the potential parallels between Rudolph and Ty Simpson. Both are NFL-caliber quarterbacks with the arm talent to carry an offense. If Alabama can replicate Oklahoma State’s success by developing their running backs—say, EJ Crowell or Trae’Shawn Brown—they could turn their weakness into a strength.
The Role of Coaching and Adaptation
Here’s where things get tricky. Alabama’s decision to retain offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb has divided fans. Optimists point to coaching changes and new talent as reasons for hope, while skeptics see it as a recipe for more of the same. Personally, I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
What many people don’t realize is that Grubb’s system isn’t inherently flawed—it’s how it’s executed that matters. If Alabama can address their offensive line issues and develop their running backs, they could see a dramatic turnaround. But if they fail to adapt, they risk becoming another Iowa or Florida: a team that couldn’t sustain success without a balanced offense.
Broader Implications: The Evolution of College Football
This raises a broader question: Is the traditional running game becoming obsolete? In an era of high-powered passing attacks and rule changes favoring offenses, teams like Alabama and Oklahoma are testing the limits of what’s possible. But history suggests that balance is still key.
If you look at the teams that have sustained success—think Georgia, Ohio State, or even Clemson in recent years—they all had strong running games to complement their passing attacks. What this really suggests is that while you can win without a great running game, it’s much harder to dominate without one.
Conclusion: Hope, But No Guarantees
So, where does this leave Alabama? In my opinion, they have a real chance to turn things around. The comparisons to Clemson and Oklahoma State offer a roadmap for success, and the talent is there. But it won’t be easy. They’ll need their freshman running backs to step up, their offensive line to improve, and their coaching staff to adapt.
One thing that immediately stands out is how much pressure this puts on Ty Simpson. If he can elevate his game—and if the running game shows even modest improvement—Alabama could be a serious contender again. But if they stumble, they risk joining the ranks of teams that couldn’t sustain success with a one-dimensional offense.
As we look ahead to the 2026 season, the question isn’t just whether Alabama can fix their running game. It’s whether they can redefine what it means to be a championship-caliber team in the modern era. And that, my friends, is what makes this story so compelling.
