While Nick Saban was head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide they were the most constant thing in college football. No matter the roster turnover or change at coordinators, you always knew you were getting a top-five squad in America.
As Kalen DeBoer enters his first year as the head coach in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide are the biggest wildcard in the sport. There is potential to win the SEC and even a national title, but what happens if things go sideways?
Jalen Milroe is the top returning Heisman vote-getter from a year ago, but he was also benched amidst the 2023 season. DeBoer is coming off a national title appearance with the Washington Huskies, but what if he succumbs to the pressure of trying to replace Saban? How will Alabama handle the departure of NFL-caliber players like Isaiah Bond and Caleb Downs?
Ultimately, I think the Tide still have one of the best rosters of in America even after the transition. However, not everyone is as high on Alabama this year as myself and the AP Poll are with RJ Young of FOX Sports being one of them.
Young says of the Tide’s spot in the AP Poll, “I’m shocked at where Alabama is. I think they’re overrated at No. 5 because we’re treating this Alabama team like it still coached by Nick Saban and it is not.”
"I'm shocked at where Alabama is. I think they are overrated at No. 5." @RJ_Young compares his preseason rankings to the AP Poll ⬇️📊 pic.twitter.com/kdLtuoYgO7
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) August 12, 2024
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