On Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer got his first taste of one of college football’s best rivalries annually, the Iron Bowl.
A must-win game for Alabama against their biggest rivals, the Crimson Tide would get that victory over the Auburn Tigers as well, topping the in-state foe by a final score of 28-14.
Not only was this DeBoer’s first win over Auburn, but it also marked a big result for the Crimson Tide that keeps their College Football Playoff hopes alive, even despite having three losses.
DeBoer was also asked about this after the Auburn game as well, with the Crimson Tide head coach going to make the case for why he thinks Alabama should make the CFP, even with three losses.
“I think everyone is aware of our schedule,” DeBoer said. “I don’t know the exact stats, but I know we beat four Top 25 teams throughout the year. I don’t know how many, if anyone, has done that. When you talk about the schedule, and what it is week-to-week, it’s just a grind. Having to come back every week, the only conference that has to do that is ours. That’s what I would say. We’ve won four of our last six. Playing some physical football, and have continued to excel in that area with what the game is all about. I think those are two pretty big deals. We’ve beaten some high-quality teams, teams that are still out there still playing some good ball themselves, and just winning four of the last six in the back-half of the season.”
While Alabama defeated Auburn on Saturday, the Crimson Tide also got some help elsewhere, as a few teams ahead of them in the CFP rankings lost such as Miami and Clemson.
With only one week remaining before the CFP bracket is released, could the Crimson Tide potentially jump into the field in Tuesday night’s next rankings release?