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 just 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, a metric that measures predicted points added per play. But what many people don’t realize is that this isn’t entirely unprecedented in college football. Teams have found ways to mask a weak rushing attack with other strengths, whether it’s a dominant defense, a high-powered passing game, or sheer coaching genius. The real question is whether Alabama can turn this weakness into a strength moving forward.
The Historical Precedent: A Mixed Bag
If you take a step back and think about it, Alabama’s situation isn’t entirely unique. Over the past decade, a handful of teams have managed to thrive despite poor rushing performances. The Iowa Hawkeyes, for instance, pulled off this feat twice in the 2020s, going 10-4 in both 2021 and 2023 with abysmal rushing stats. But here’s the catch: they followed those seasons with 8-5 records. What this really suggests is that relying on a weak rushing game is a risky strategy—one that might work in the short term but often crumbles under pressure.
On the flip side, there are success stories. The 2016 Clemson Tigers, for example, won a national championship with a passing-heavy offense led by Deshaun Watson. Their rushing attack was inefficient, but they made up for it with sheer volume and a dominant defense. The following year, they retooled their running game with freshman sensation Travis Etienne and made the playoffs again. This raises a deeper question: Can Alabama replicate Clemson’s turnaround?
The Clemson Comparison: A Glimmer of Hope
One thing that immediately stands out is the similarity between Alabama’s 2025 season and Clemson’s 2016 campaign. Both teams had elite quarterbacks (Ty Simpson for Alabama, Watson for Clemson) and underwhelming rushing attacks. A detail that I find especially interesting is how both teams had nearly identical PPA metrics, despite playing in different eras with different rulesets.
But here’s where the comparison gets tricky. Clemson’s success in 2017 wasn’t just about Etienne’s breakout season; it was also about their ability to adapt and evolve. Alabama, in my opinion, will need to do the same. The good news? They have the talent to pull it off. Freshman running backs like EJ Crowell and Trae’Shawn Brown could be the game-changers they need.
The Oklahoma State Model: A Passing-Heavy Alternative
Another team worth mentioning is the 2015 Oklahoma State Cowboys. Led by quarterback Mason Rudolph, they went 10-3 with a passing-heavy offense and a weak rushing game. The following year, they improved their rushing attack with freshman Justice Hill and maintained their success. What makes this particularly fascinating is how they managed to stay competitive without relying on a star running back.
For Alabama, this model offers a different path forward. If the running game doesn’t improve, they could double down on their passing attack and lean on Ty Simpson’s arm. But here’s the catch: this strategy requires near-perfect execution. One thing that many people don’t realize is how fragile a passing-heavy offense can be. One injury, one off day, and the whole thing falls apart.
The Broader Implications: What Does This Mean for College Football?
This raises a deeper question: Are we seeing a shift in how teams approach offense? In an era where passing games are becoming more dominant, does a strong running game still matter? Personally, I think it does—but not in the way it used to. A balanced offense is still the gold standard, but teams are finding creative ways to compensate for weaknesses.
What this really suggests is that success in college football is becoming less about perfection and more about adaptation. Teams that can identify their strengths and mask their weaknesses are the ones that will thrive. For Alabama, the challenge is clear: fix the running game or find a way to win without it.
Conclusion: The Future is Uncertain, But Hope Remains
In my opinion, Alabama’s 2025 season is a cautionary tale wrapped in a success story. It shows that even the best programs have flaws, but it also proves that those flaws don’t have to define them. Whether they follow Clemson’s path, Oklahoma State’s model, or chart their own course remains to be seen.
One thing is certain, though: the pressure is on. Freshman running backs, coaching changes, and a talented quarterback are all reasons for optimism. But as we’ve seen from history, there are no guarantees. If you ask me, the most exciting part of this story isn’t what happened in 2025—it’s what happens next.
