College Football will feature numerous changes in the upcoming 2024 season. With mass conference realignment going into effect and the College Football Playoff expanding to a 12-team format, it’s a different ball game. Because of this, the Alabama Crimson Tide likely won’t fall too far behind, if at all, as a result of the program entering a new era.
Under the leadership of Nick Saban, the team were not only regular participants in the College Football Playoff, but were consistently competing in the national championship game. With new head coach Kalen DeBoer, expectations remain roughly the same. However, there are some areas that need to be addressed and questions that require answers.
Bill Connelly of ESPN broke down the biggest issues each College Football Playoff contender faces (subscription required) entering the 2024 season. For the Crimson Tide, there are four big “ifs” presented by Connelly.
The first one is “if the new skill corps makes plays.” Star quarterback Jalen Milroe had a difficult start to the season in 2023, resulting in him being benched in Week 3. However, he ultimately returned as the starter, led the team to the College Football Playoffs and finished No. 6 in the Heisman Trophy voting. He has reportedly improved over the offseason, and many fans and experts are eager to see how he opens up 2024.
His success is also dependent upon the performance of the wide receivers and running backs this season. In the backfield, Justice Haynes and Jam Miller will be the featured ball carriers, but the wide receivers will include some new names that fans have yet to see, including true freshman Ryan Williams and transfer Germie Bernard, who followed DeBoer from the Washington Huskies Program.
Secondly, Connelly raises “if there is a pass rush.” In recent seasons, Alabama fans have grown accustomed to having an elite pass rusher be on the field at all times. Whether it was Will Anderson Jr. or Dallas Turner, there was an established, and feared, presence. However, they have both moved on to the NFL.
Next, Connelly wants to know if the secondary will be a liability. Malachi Moore returns as a veteran who has had success on the field and can serve as a leader. However, the team did lose one of the top players in college football, defensive back Caleb Downs, to the transfer portal.
“The secondary is really starting over,” writes Connelly. “Returning nickelback Malachi Moore is outstanding, but of the 14 DBs who saw the field at some point last year, Moore is one of only two returning. DeBoer brought in five defensive backs from the portal, including corner DaShawn Jones (Wake Forest) and safety Keon Sabb (Michigan), but if they don’t immediately click, coordinator Kane Wommack will have to lean heavily on freshmen.”
Finally, the Tide must address the pressure. Connelly asks “if the noise isn’t overwhelming.”
DeBoer assumes a role that not many envy. He is the immediate successor to the most successful college football coach of all time and inherits a team that was capable of reaching the playoffs last season. The pressure is on DeBoer, a spotlight will be cast on him throughout the season, and there is an expectation that the team will continue to compete among the elites in the game. Despite this, DeBoer has remained poised and has exceeded offseason expectations, especially on the recruiting trail. Only time will tell when it comes to answering this question.
Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football as the 2024 college football season approaches.
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