Such is the case every year, but especially in 2024, all eyes will be on the Alabama Crimson Tide as they transition from legendary head coach Nick Saban to Kalen DeBoer. Replacing a coach like Saban is almost impossible, but so far it seems like DeBoer is the man for the job.
With a road trip to the Wisconsin Badgers in Week 3 followed by a visit from the No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs in Week 5, it won’t take too long to figure out what this Alabama team and DeBoer are made of.
Even though the Crimson Tide did lose a ton of great talent to the 2024 NFL draft and transfer portal, they still boast one of the best rosters in the country. Quarterback Jalen Milroe is the top returning vote-getter from the 2023 Heisman Trophy and will have a real chance to bring home the award this fall. DeBoer is also coming off a year where he guided a significantly less talented Washington Huskies team to a national title, so I would imagine Alabama hits the ground running.
Josh Pate of CBS Sports has been incredibly high on DeBoer dating back to his days as offensive coordinator at Fresno State. So, his expectations for the Tide in 2024 are quite high as he envisions another 10-win season and Playoff berth. With road trips to Wisconsin, Tennessee Volunteers, LSU Tigers and Oklahoma Sooners as well as visits from Georgia, Missouri Tigers and Auburn Tigers it’s a brutal schedule for the Tide.
"I think they'll go 10-2 and if they go 10-2, they're a College Football Playoff team."
—@LateKickJosh analyzes @AlabamaFTBL's 2024 schedule pic.twitter.com/pPkOkO0SBf
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) August 12, 2024
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