Former Alabama quarterback and current ESPN analyst Greg McElroy has weighed in on what’s shaping up to be one of the most anticipated seasons in recent Southeastern Conference history. With Texas set to enter its first season as a member of the SEC, McElroy believes that his alma mater, Alabama, poses the biggest challenge to the Longhorns’ hopes of immediate dominance in their new conference home.
Speaking on a recent episode of his podcast, Always College Football, McElroy addressed the shifting dynamics of the SEC with the arrival of Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12. While many analysts have circled Georgia, LSU, and even Ole Miss as potential roadblocks for the Longhorns, McElroy pointed directly at Alabama as the most significant obstacle standing in Texas’ path to a conference title.
“Everyone’s looking at Texas like they’re ready to run the SEC,” McElroy said. “But people are sleeping on Alabama. Just because they lost Nick Saban doesn’t mean the program suddenly forgot how to win. Kalen DeBoer is inheriting a loaded roster, and the Crimson Tide still have SEC toughness, talent, and culture on their side.”
McElroy’s comments reflect growing optimism around Alabama despite the seismic coaching change this offseason. With Saban retiring after 17 seasons and six national championships, the Tide have transitioned to DeBoer, who arrived from Washington after leading the Huskies to the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
The Alabama program is still rich in resources, talent, and tradition. Quarterback Jalen Milroe returns after a breakout campaign, and the team has reloaded with one of the top recruiting classes in the nation. For McElroy, that continuity — both in talent and institutional strength — makes Alabama a natural candidate to challenge any team, especially one as hyped as Texas.
Texas, meanwhile, enters the SEC with high expectations. Under head coach Steve Sarkisian, the Longhorns are coming off a College Football Playoff appearance and a Big 12 Championship. With quarterback Quinn Ewers back under center, and a deep, explosive roster, many have pegged Texas as an immediate title contender in their new conference.
But McElroy warns that the SEC grind is different from anything Texas experienced in the Big 12.
“It’s not just about playing big games — it’s about surviving physical matchups every single week,” he said. “You don’t get breathers in the SEC. And Alabama still knows how to win ugly, how to wear you down. Texas will find out quickly that there’s a reason this league dominates in the postseason.”
The Longhorns will travel to Tuscaloosa this season in a game that already has massive implications. Last season, Texas pulled off a signature 34-24 win over Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium — a victory that helped propel their national title push. However, that game came under the Saban era. McElroy emphasized that Alabama’s response to that defeat will be fierce.
“You think those guys forgot what happened last year? That tape’s been on a loop in the Alabama facility. They’ll be ready,” he added.
McElroy also acknowledged that other SEC powerhouses will pose challenges for Texas — notably Georgia and LSU — but said Alabama’s combination of pride, personnel, and pressure could make them the most dangerous opponent for the Horns.
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