Imagine the thrill of a nail-biting college football victory that silences doubters and reignites championship dreams— that's exactly what Alabama just delivered against Missouri, and ESPN's fiery commentator Stephen A. Smith couldn't hold back his praise!
Right after the No. 8-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide edged out the No. 14 Missouri Tigers 27-24 on Saturday, October 11, 2025, Stephen A. Smith, the ever-energetic host of ESPN's 'First Take,' jumped on social media to share his excitement with Alabama fans. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, "I have to hand it to Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama football team—they're earning every bit of respect out there." He highlighted their back-to-back triumphs, noting, "Beating Georgia just last week, and now pulling off a road win against Missouri? They went for it on fourth and 8, dominated the line of scrimmage, and powered through against one of the nation's top rushing defenses. Now, that's the classic Alabama football we've all come to love. Hats off!"
Just to set the record straight for those keeping score at home, Alabama actually kicked off this impressive run by defeating Vanderbilt the week before Georgia. But Smith's enthusiasm hits the nail on the head, especially when you consider the bigger picture. As sports analyst Cole Cubelic astutely observed in his own X post, this marks Alabama as only the fifth team in the storied history of the Southeastern Conference (SEC)—that's the powerhouse league of top-tier college football programs in the Southeast—to knock off three ranked opponents within a single three-week stretch, all without the luxury of a bye week for rest. For newcomers to college football, a 'ranked opponent' means teams considered among the best in the nation based on performance metrics, and doing this in the ultra-competitive SEC is like winning three Super Bowls in a row—it's rare and grueling.
And this is the part most people miss: under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, who's still finding his footing after taking over from the legendary Nick Saban, Alabama is showing signs of that unbreakable Tide spirit. Quarterback Ty Simpson was the hero of the day, completing passes for 200 yards and tossing three touchdown strikes. His game-sealing throw came on a crucial fourth-down play to wide receiver Daniel Hill with just 3:16 left on the clock, allowing Alabama to hang on for the victory. For beginners, a 'fourth-down' situation is like a do-or-die moment in football—teams rarely go for it unless they're all-in, and Simpson's success there turned the tide (pun intended).
Running back Jam Miller chipped in with 85 yards on the ground before an unfortunate injury sidelined him in the fourth quarter, while receivers Kevin Riley and Isaiah Horton each hauled in touchdown catches. This win boosts Alabama's record to 5-1 overall and a perfect 3-0 in SEC play, extending their dominance over Missouri to seven straight victories dating all the way back to September 8, 1975. On the flip side, the defeat snapped Missouri's impressive 15-game winning streak at home, which was the second-longest active streak in the country—talk about a momentum killer for the Tigers.
But here's where it gets controversial: Is this resurgence under DeBoer a true return to Alabama's dynasty days, or just a hot streak that could fizzle against tougher foes like upcoming SEC giants? Some fans argue DeBoer's more pass-heavy approach is revolutionizing the program, while traditionalists miss Saban's grind-it-out style— what's your take? Drop a comment below: Do you think Alabama is back on top, or are there storm clouds ahead? We'd love to hear if you're cheering for the Tide or rooting for an upset, and why this win changes (or doesn't change) your view of the season.
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