Kalen DeBoer – Syndication Server

Complete list of experts’ playoff projections for Alabama football ahead of new CFP rankings

Is Alabama in or out? A look at the experts’ latest College Football Playoff projections for the Alabama Crimson Tide heading into Championship Saturday.

The regular season is over. All the Alabama Crimson Tide and coach Kalen DeBoer can do now is wait to learn their postseason fate.

Alabama (9-3 overall, 5-3 SEC) made one last impression on the selection committee with a 28-14 victory over rival Auburn in the Iron Bowl on Saturday. The Crimson Tide overcame four turnovers, and Jalen Milroe was much improved from his performance against the Oklahoma Sooners a week earlier in a 24-3 loss that may still prove fatal to Alabama’s College Football Playoff hopes.

Milroe was 18-of-24 for 256 yards through the air, with 104 yards and three touchdowns on the ground on 17 carries. Alabama led 28-6 until late in the third quarter when Auburn drove 87 yards on 10 plays and got a 29-yard Payton Thorne touchdown to Cam Coleman.

Is Alabama’s resume enough to get the Crimson Tide into the Playoff with three losses over teams like the Miami Hurricanes (9-2)? That’s what college football experts are debating after the final week of the regular season in the SEC, Big Ten, ACC and Big 12.

Heading into Championship Saturday, here’s what national college football writers and others in the sport’s media universe are saying about Alabama’s College Football Playoff and bowl game fate/projections — and which teams the Crimson Tide might face.

Alabama football’s updated CFP, bowl game projections after regular season

Alabama at Notre Dame (CFP first-round game, Dec. 20 or 21)

Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Michael Reaves/Getty Images

Alabama vs. Notre Dame is the most common projection among the experts’ CFP predictions. USA TODAY Sports analyst Erick Smith sees the Crimson Tide getting the final at-large berth in the playoff and making a trip to South Bend to face the Fighting Irish in a No. 12 seed vs. No. 5 seed matchup.

Smith writes:

“(T)he SEC gets its fourth team in the field with three-loss Alabama edging South Carolina on the basis of the head-to-head result between the schools.”

Alabama defeated South Carolina, 27-25, on Oct. 12 in Tuscaloosa. The Crimson Tide haven’t visited South Bend since the 1987 college football season. The two teams have met twice in the postseason since then, including Alabama’s 42-14 romp of Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship on Jan. 7, 2013 in Miami.

Smith is far from the only one who sees Alabama taking on Notre Dame in a first-round playoff game. Another USA TODAY Sports expert, Austin Curtright, has the Crimson Tide and Fighting Irish squaring off in South Bend, as does ESPN’s Mark Schlabach.

Veteran college football reporter Brett McMurphy is another analyst who sees Alabama visiting Notre Dame.

Per McMurphy:

“Ultimately, I believe the committee will take 9-3 Alabama over 10-2 Miami and 9-3 South Carolina because the Tide have played a much tougher schedule and have more Top 25 wins than Miami. Plus, they own the head-to-head tiebreaker edge over South Carolina.”

On3’s Andy Staples sees Alabama facing Notre Dame, as well.

Staples writes:

“Of the teams vying for this spot, South Carolina is probably the one no one wants to see in the bracket. But the head-to-head losses to Alabama and Ole Miss seem prohibitive. Perhaps the committee will surprise us, but it seems to value power rankings like ESPN’s FPI, the Sagarin ratings and the Massey Ratings… All of those have Alabama ahead of the other teams in this group. The committee had Alabama one spot ahead of Ole Miss last week, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything is written in stone.”

Alabama at Penn State (CFP first-round game, Dec. 20 or 21)

247Sports analyst Brad Crawford also projects Alabama to make the final 12-team field. But instead of a trip to South Bend, Crawford sees the Crimson Tide taking on the Penn State Nittany Lions in a No. 11 seed vs. No. 6 seed playoff game in Happy Valley.

From there, Crawford sees Alabama beating Penn State, then beating his projected ACC champion, the SMU Mustangs, in the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta to set up a showdown between the Crimson Tide and Texas Longhorns in the CFP semifinals at the Orange Bowl in Miami.

The Sporting News’ Bill Bender agrees with the Alabama-Penn State projection. Alabama last played at Beaver Stadium on Sept. 10, 2011, a 27-11 Crimson Tide victory in Week 2 of the season.

Alabama at Texas (CFP first-round game, Dec. 20 or 21)

Sports Illustrated’s Nick Shepkowski sees Alabama making the playoff and facing Texas in Austin. A Tide-Longhorns matchup would be the third in as many years. Alabama won at Texas, 20-19, on a 33-yard Will Reichard game-winning field goal with 10 seconds left on Sept. 10, 2022. They lost, 34-24, to former Nick Saban assistant Steve Sarkisian in September 2023 at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Is Citrus Bowl Alabama football’s most realistic postseason destination?

Not everyone is sold on Alabama reaching the College Football Playoff after Week 14’s chaos. CBS Sports’ Jerry Palm projects the Miami Hurricanes to get the committee’s final at-large berth and face No. 5 seed Texas in the first round of the playoff.

Palm has Alabama in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando against Bret Beliema and the Illinois Fighting Illini on New Year’s Eve. Alabama last played in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Day 2020, defeating Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines, 35-16.

ESPN’s Kyle Bonagura also awards Miami a playoff spot over Alabama. Like Palm, Bonagura has the Tide facing Illinois in Orlando.

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How every Alabama football coach since Bear Bryant fared in first Iron Bowl vs. Auburn

Kalen DeBoer won his first Iron Bowl matchup against the Auburn Tigers. Here’s how past Alabama football coaches fared in their first games against Auburn.

With a 28-14 win over the Auburn Tigers on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Alabama Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer joined some pretty rare company in the rich history of Alabama football.

DeBoer won “The Big One” in Year 1, beating Auburn behind a much-improved performance from Jalen Milroe, who completed 18-of-24 passes for 256 yards and ran for 104 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. Alabama won its fifth straight over Auburn.

In doing so, DeBoer became just the third Alabama coach since 1948 — the year the rivalry resumed following a 41-yard absence — to win his first Iron Bowl showdown. He joined Dennis Franchione (2001) and Alabama coaching great Gene Stallings (1990).

From Nick Saban back in 2007 to Bear Bryant over 65 years ago, here’s a look at how past Alabama football coaches have fared in their first meeting vs. Auburn, as well as their all-time records against the Tigers and their biggest margin of victory in the series.

Nick Saban (Alabama coach, 2007-2023)

First Iron Bowl Game: Nov. 24, 2007

Final Score: Auburn 17, Alabama 10

Overall Record vs. Auburn: 12-5

Largest Margin of Victory in Series: 49 points — Alabama 49, Auburn 0, Nov. 24, 2012

Saban will be the first to tell you he experienced a rollercoaster of highs and lows in the Iron Bowl rivalry, mostly at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Four of the Alabama football legend’s five losses in the rivalry came on the Plains, including his first Iron Bowl in 2007.

Mike Shula (Alabama coach, 2003-2006)

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports © 2006 John David Mercerfirst

First Iron Bowl Game: Nov. 22, 2003

Final Score: Auburn 28, Alabama 23

Overall Record vs. Auburn: 0-4

Fans who remembered Shula’s time as the Crimson Tide’s quarterback from 1984-86, a period that included two Iron Bowl wins, wanted Shula to succeed. But as head coach, Shula took over at the lowest point in the program’s history. Unprecedented sanctions levied by the NCAA severely crippled Alabama in recruiting — at a time when Auburn was becoming a glorified NFL factory.

Dennis Franchione (Alabama coach, 2001-02)

First Iron Bowl Game: Nov. 17, 2001

Final Score: Alabama 31, Auburn 7

Overall Record vs. Auburn: 1-1

Largest Margin of Victory in Series: 24 points (2001)

“Coach Fraud” won his first Iron Bowl with a surprising 31-7 rout of Auburn behind quarterback Andrew Zow at Jordan-Hare. Perhaps his biggest crime wasn’t so much bed-hopping from Tuscaloosa to College Station at the end of 2002, but that he lost to Auburn just before his Lady of the Night act. Many Alabama fans still believe he had one foot out the door heading into the 2002 Iron Bowl, a game the Crimson Tide were a double-digit favorite to win.

Mike DuBose (Alabama coach, 1997-2000)

First Iron Bowl Game: Nov. 22, 1997

Final Score: Auburn 18, Alabama 17

Overall Record vs. Auburn: 2-2

Largest Margin of Victory in Series: 14 points — Alabama 31, Auburn 17, Nov. 21, 1998

DuBose’s first Iron Bowl as head coach was almost a successful one. But “almost” doesn’t count in a rivalry like Alabama-Auburn, and a late fumble deep in Alabama territory by Ed Scissum with less than a minute left led Auburn to a game-winning field goal — and helped cement Bruce Arians’ firing as Alabama’s offensive coordinator.

Gene Stallings (Alabama coach, 1990-1996)

First Iron Bowl Game: Dec. 1, 1990

Final Score: Alabama 16, Auburn 7

Overall Record vs. Auburn: 5-2

Largest Margin of Victory in Series: 17 points — Alabama 17, Auburn 0, Nov. 26, 1992

Alabama had lost four straight to Auburn entering the 1990 edition of the Iron Bowl, a cardinal sin that led to the previous Crimson Tide coach leaving. The Tide’s defense was outstanding on this December day at Birmingham’s Legion Field, and Philip Doyle kicked three field goals to start a three-game win streak over the Tigers.

Bill Curry (Alabama coach, 1987-1989)

Alabama coach Bill Curry and players prior to a game. (Imagn)

First Iron Bowl Game: Nov. 27, 1987

Final Score: Auburn 10, Alabama 0

Overall Record vs. Auburn: 0-3

Curry recruited at a good level during his three seasons at Alabama, and his recruiting fingerprints can be found all over the 1992 national championship team. But when you don’t win this game, you don’t stay long at either school. After a 30-20 loss in the 1989 Iron Bowl (the first to be played at Jordan-Hare Stadium), Curry left Tuscaloosa for the Bluegrass State and the Kentucky Wildcats.

Ray Perkins (Alabama coach, 1983-1986)

First Iron Bowl Game: Dec. 3, 1983

Final Score: Auburn 23, Alabama 20

Overall Record vs. Auburn: 2-2

Largest Margin of Victory in Series: two points (1984, 1985)

Perkins had the unenviable task of following in Bear Bryant’s footsteps after Bryant’s retirement and, a month later, his sudden passing in January 1983. A former Bryant player, Perkins was 2-2 against Auburn. His two wins as head coach are classics: 1984’s “Wrong Way Bo” that ended with a 17-15 upset of Pat Dye’s 11th-ranked Tigers and a year later, Van Tiffin’s game-winning 52-yard field goal (“The Kick”) as time expired for a 25-23 win.

Bear Bryant (Alabama coach, 1958-1982)

First Iron Bowl Game: Nov. 29, 1958

Final Score: Auburn 14, Alabama 8

Overall Record vs. Auburn: 19-6

Largest Margin of Victory in Series: 38 points — Alabama 38, Auburn 0, Dec. 1, 1962

Yes, the two greatest coaches in Alabama football history, if not college football history, both lost to Auburn in their first seasons. Bryant would compile a 19-6 record against “that cow college.”

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Alabama football rises in US LBM Coaches Poll after Rivalry Week madness, awaits CFP fate

Take a look at how far Alabama climbed in the final regular season US LBM Coaches Poll ahead of Championship Saturday next week in college football.

The Alabama Crimson Tide avoided the upset bug Saturday with a 28-14 win over the Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl. It was more than some teams could say for their Rivalry Week showdowns.

Jalen Milroe was 18-of-24 passing for 256 yards and ran 17 times for 104 yards and three touchdowns as the Crimson Tide (9-3 overall, 5-3 SEC) made one last statement for the playoff committee before the final CFP rankings are released on Dec. 8.

In the meantime, Alabama rose two spots to No. 11 in the Week 14 US LBM Coaches Poll, released Sunday. The Crimson Tide will have to see what happens on Championship Saturday next week to learn of their ultimate College Football Playoff fate the following Sunday.

Alabama had some help in moving up the Coaches Poll this week. The second-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes (10-2) lost as heavy favorites to the rival Michigan Wolverines (7-5) in Columbus in a game that featured a wild melee on the field afterwards. Elsewhere, the Miami Hurricanes (10-2) blew a 21-point lead at Syracuse (9-3) and fell 42-38 in what might be a devastating blow to their CFP hopes.

Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers (9-3) lost their third game of 2024, 17-14 to rival South Carolina, yet will still play for the ACC title with a berth in the playoff on the line next week on Championship Saturday thanks to Miami’s loss at Syracuse.

Ohio State, Miami and Clemson all fell several spots in this week’s poll. The Buckeyes fell six spots to No. 8, while Alabama jumped past Miami, which fell to No. 14, and Clemson (down to No. 17).

For the seventh straight week, the Oregon Ducks (12-0) stayed at No. 1 after capping an unbeaten regular season with a 49-21 blowout win over the Washington Huskies in Eugene. The Texas Longhorns (11-1) rose to No. 2 and will play the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs (10-2) for the SEC championship Saturday in Atlanta.

Penn State (11-1) moved up to No. 3 after a 44-7 blowout win over Maryland to close the regular season, and Notre Dame (11-1) moved up to No. 4 after a 49-35 win at rival Southern California (6-6). With Ohio State losing, Penn State will now play Oregon for the Big Ten championship next Saturday in Indianapolis.

Tennessee (10-2) and SMU (11-1) both rose one spot to No. 6 and No. 7, respectively. Indiana (11-1) moved up one spot to No. 9, and No. 10 Boise State (11-1) rounded out the top 10.

Alabama remained the highest-ranked three-loss team, with South Carolina (9-3) one spot below the Crimson Tide at No. 12.

Full Week 14 US LBM Coaches Poll

Rank	Team	Record	Points
1	Oregon Ducks	12-0	1,325 (53)
2	Texas Longhorns	11-1	1,272
3	Penn State Nittany Lions	11-1	1,192
4	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	11-1	1,165
5	Georgia Bulldogs	10-2	1,104
6	Tennessee Volunteers	10-2	1,025
7	SMU Mustangs	11-1	977
8	Ohio State Buckeyes	10-2	976
9	Indiana Hoosiers	11-1	895
10	Boise State Broncos	11-1	840
11	Alabama Crimson Tide	9-3	733
12	South Carolina Gamecocks	9-3	700
13	Arizona State Sun Devils	10-2	665
14	Miami Hurricanes	10-2	646
15	Ole Miss Rebels	9-3	638
16	Iowa State Cyclones	10-2	565
17	Clemson Tigers	9-3	457
18	BYU Cougars	10-2	419
19	UNLV Rebels	10-2	255
20	Missouri Tigers	9-3	229
21	Illinois Fighting Illini	9-3	225
22	Colorado Buffaloes	9-3	215
23	Army Black Knights	10-1	196
24	Memphis Tigers	10-2	187
25	Syracuse Orange	9-3	108

Schools Dropped Out

No. 18 Tulane; No. 19 Texas A&M

Others Receiving Votes

Texas A&M 90; Duke 39; Tulane 37; Louisville 18; Kansas State 15; Louisiana 11; Michigan 2; Georgia Tech 2; Miami (OH) 1; Iowa 1

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Kalen DeBoer makes case for why Alabama should make College Football Playoff

DeBoer made his case for Alabama in the College Football Playoff after the Crimson Tide’s win over Auburn.

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?

Everything Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said about Auburn, Iron Bowl

DeBoer commented on the importance of the Iron Bowl on Monday.

When it comes to this year’s Iron Bowl, it is not only significant through the fact that it is the first without Nick Saban since 2006, but also that is the first for Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer.

Yes, DeBoer is now set to face the Auburn Tigers, not only for the first time as head coach at Alabama, but also for the first time in his coaching career.

DeBoer also previewed Alabama’s upcoming matchup as part of his weekly press conference as well. Here is everything that DeBoer said about Auburn, as well as the Iron Bowl.

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer comments on importance of Iron Bowl

“Just talking about it yesterday in the team meeting, you can already feel leadership stepping up, and really talk about what this game means to them, what this means to us, and what it means to everyone on both sides of the state 365 days of the year,” DeBoer said. “Ever since I’ve been here, I think I hear about it every day, and understand what it means and the excitement, and we have to learn from last week, and be better because of it, turn the page, get ready to practice tomorrow, and do everything we can to be successful on Saturday. Find a way to win.”

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer comments on legacy of Iron Bowl

“It’s going to be an awesome environment, we know that,” DeBoer said. “Love playing the game at home. We get a chance to be undefeated, that’s a sidebar note, but to be undefeated at home, it’s a big deal. It’s always been a big deal to me, and that’s where we’re at as a team. Just this game, what it means to those that come from each side, and what it means to the state, it’s talked about, and not just told to me, but talked about amongst everyone in their homes, and it’s Thanksgiving weekend, so if you’re not at the game, you’re home watching it with your friends and family. Heard stories of families being divided because of it in many different ways, so that’s what rivalry games are all about, and I know this is a rivalry that’s on another level.”

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer on past story of Iron Bowl

“Not that there is a particular story or something that’s just off-the-wall, I know those all exist, but I understand what took place a year ago, and what it took to win that game,” DeBoer said. “That’s probably pretty reminiscent of what both sides are looking at as far as the effort it’s going to take, and playing for four quarters. Playing every second and every play like it’s your last. That’s the intensity of it.”

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer comments on Cam Coleman, Auburn offense

“They have multiple threats that I would consider very difficult,” DeBoer said. “Certainly high-profile guys who have really produced for both teams as young athletes here at the college level. He’s extremely impressive, and he’s made a lot of plays for them this year. You’ve got to focus not just on him, but the others guys that have had big games, and it’s not just in the pass game, but in the run game. Their quarterback now, Thorne, has done a nice job adding to that too with his legs. A lot of threats, and that’s what you want to be, an offense that has a lot of threats, and they have that.”

Where can I watch the new CFP rankings for Alabama football?

Tuesday night’s new CFP rankings will offer an updated look at the playoff picture for Alabama football. Here’s how to watch the rankings.

Alabama Crimson Tide fans will be watching this week’s updated College Football Playoff rankings with a sense of curiosity.

After suffering an ugly 24-3 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners in Norman over the weekend, exactly how far the Crimson Tide (8-3 overall, 4-3 conference) will fall in Tuesday’s updated rankings remains to be seen. For comparison, Alabama fell to No. 13 in the US LBM Coaches Poll, released Sunday.

Kalen DeBoer’s team wasn’t the only SEC team in the rankings to fall in Week 13. Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels (8-3) also lost, 24-17 to the Florida Gators (5-6) in Gainesville on Saturday.

Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2), while ranked below Alabama in the CFP, suffered from the upset bug in a 43-41 loss to the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Yet the Aggies will play for the SEC crown in Atlanta, if they beat the Texas Longhorns (10-1, 6-1) Saturday in the first meeting between the Lone Star State rivals since 2011.

There’s been a lot of chaos in the 2024 college football season, particularly in the SEC, and even more could still lie ahead.

Here’s how you can watch the latest College Football Playoff rankings show Tuesday night.

How to watch College Football Playoff rankings show

TV Channel: ESPN

[afflinkbutton text=”Watch CFP rankings reveal live on Fubo (free trial)” link=”https://www.fubo.tv/welcome/leagues/191261?irad=399332&irmp=1205322&subId1=SMG&subId2=NCAAF&subId3=2024″]

College Football Playoff rankings release date:

Date: Tuesday, November 26, 2024

What time is CFP rankings release?

Start Time: 7 p.m. CT

Alabama football CFP rankings projection

With such an woeful performance against an Oklahoma team that was just 1-5 in conference play, coupled with a previous loss against a now five-loss Vanderbilt team, I expect Alabama to fall to No. 13 or 14.

How many teams are in College Football Playoff 2024?

For the first time, there will be 12 teams participating in the College Football Playoffs — five automatic bids for each of the Power Four conference champions, and one to the highest-ranked Group of Five champion. The remaining seven slots are given to at-large teams.

Last week, Boise State (10-1) jumped to No. 12 in the rankings — two spots higher than the highest-ranked Big 12 team (BYU). That put Ashton Jeanty and the Broncos as the projected No. 4 seed, with the Big 12 champion as the No. 12 seed. Oregon (11-0) has been No. 1 in the CFP rankings since they were initially unveiled on Nov. 5.

How does the College Football Playoff format work?

The top four seeds will have a bye when the CFP kicks off. The next four highest-seeded teams will host on-campus playoff games as follows:

No. 5 vs No. 12, winner will play No. 4
No. 6 vs No. 11, winner will play No. 3
No. 7 vs No. 10, winner will play No. 2
No. 8 vs No. 9, winner will play No. 1

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Alabama head coach praises Jackson Arnold, Xavier Robinson

What did Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer have to say about Jackson Arnold and Xavier Robinson following Oklahoma’s win over the Crimson Tide.

The Oklahoma Sooners made their intentions clear on Saturday night in Norman. They planned to run the ball early and often against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Led by an improving offensive line, the Sooners put up 257 yards rushing on 50 attempts.

Quarterback [autotag]Jackson Arnold[/autotag] led the way with 25 carries for 131 yards and [autotag]Xavier Robinson[/autotag] had 18 carries for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Both young Sooners showed great vision and toughness, continually churning out positive yardage.

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer praised Oklahoma’s young stars for their efforts in the win.

“That was the story for them,” DeBoer said. “Those guys — inside, outside, different ways — just moving the chains and then hitting the explosives that they had. It seemed like they were always falling forward and again, there were explosive plays that they had. You’ve got to credit the toughness that they had. I think (Arnold) carried it over 20 times, both of them around that. Credit to those guys on staying with their game plan and doing what they needed to do to win.”

DeBoer’s made an impact at the collegiate level as an offensive guru. So he knows a good game plan when he sees one.

The Sooners had over 200 yards rushing in the first half and held a 10-3 lead at the break. The score could have been even more decisively in Oklahoma’s favor, but the Sooners missed opportunities to cash in on drives into Alabama territory in the first quarter.

However, Joe Jon Finley and the offensive staff stayed true to the game plan and continued to feed the running game. Even when things got a little stagnant in the third quarter, the Sooners were able to stick with the run game after the defense intercepted Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe on the Tide’s first two possessions of the second half.

It was a dominant performance in the running game, which was a site to see as the Sooners have struggled to keep the offensive line healthy and haven’t had much to speak of in the passing game.

Now the Oklahoma Sooners will look to build on it as they get ready for a tough road trip to Baton Rouge to take on the LSU Tigers.

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Paul Finebaum unloads on Kalen DeBoer after ‘inexcusable’ Alabama loss

Finebaum doesn’t pull any punches when discussing Alabama’s 24-3 loss to Oklahoma.

ESPN college football analyst Paul Finebaum has Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer in his crosshairs.

Such is life in the SEC when you lose to an unranked team by three touchdowns on the road, as the Crimson Tide did in a brutal 24-3 loss to the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday night in Norman. Alabama had been a two-touchdown favorite entering the night.

Appearing on “The Matt Barrie Show” Sunday morning, Finebaum said that Alabama’s loss to the Sooners was “inexcusable” and added that the Crimson Tide “didn’t look like they had a clue.”

“Let me cut to the chase: it was simply inexcusable. And you can blame anyone you want, but you would be smart to start at the very top because that team did not look prepared. They didn’t look focused. They didn’t look like they had a clue what they were getting into, and I don’t know how that could be the case because everyone who watches football knew that Brent Venables had an elite defense. They just have no offense because of all the wide receivers being hurt and chaos at quarterback. I just don’t understand it.”

Alabama (8-3) settled for a 3-0 lead early after squandering a red-zone opportunity following a big catch from Ryan Williams at the Oklahoma (6-5) 11-yard line. But the Crimson Tide offense fizzled the rest of the night and never made it back to the red zone against a smothering Sooners defense.

Jalen Milroe was 11-of-26 passing for 164 yards with three interceptions. He had 15 carries for just seven yards as Alabama’s rushing attack was held to 70 yards on 30 carries. Milroe’s 49-yard pick six to Kip Lewis on Alabama’s second possession of the third quarter opened the floodgates and gave Oklahoma a 24-3 lead.

Alabama came into the game at No. 7 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings and had positioned itself for a run to the SEC Championship Game. But after Saturday’s loss, Finebaum is perplexed as to why anyone would consider Alabama a playoff team.

“That loss was a body blow, and I know what my good friend Heather Dinich is saying, (that) there is a path for Alabama and maybe there will be. But the real question is why? I mean, I don’t understand how Alabama can be considered a legitimate playoff team. And I realize that there are probably schools in there that aren’t legitimate, either, but they’ve lost to Vanderbilt, a five-loss team, and now Oklahoma, a five-loss team. If you were looking at a chart of the SEC, they’re probably 12 and 13 out of the 16 in the league, and the other loss is at Tennessee. I know who they have a win against: possibly the SEC champion (Georgia). But please. If they get in, good for them. I’ll be happy and everybody will sing Kumbaya, but are they really a playoff team after what we saw on Saturday night? I mean, that was just hard to wrap my arms around.

“In the middle of the night, I’m getting texts from old-time Alabama fans that are going, ‘What have we gotten ourselves into?’ Because this is the same Alabama team — actually, it’s not — it’s a worse Alabama team than we saw against Vanderbilt. I mean, this team was completely clueless.’

Alabama fell six spots to No. 13 in the Week 13 US LBM Coaches Poll. The Crimson Tide host the Auburn Tigers next Saturday in the 89th edition of the Iron Bowl. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be televised on ABC.

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How far did Alabama tumble in Week 13 US LBM Coaches Poll after brutal loss?

Here’s how far Alabama fell in the Week 13 US LBM Coaches Poll, released Sunday.

The Alabama Crimson Tide fell 24-3 in an ugly loss to the Oklahoma Sooners at Oklahoma Memorial Stadium Saturday — the third loss of the season for coach Kalen DeBoer’s team.

As a result, Alabama (8-3) fell six spots to No. 13 in the new Coaches Poll, released Sunday. The Crimson Tide are the highest-ranked three-loss team and are one spot below the Clemson Tigers at No. 12 and one spot ahead of No. 14 South Carolina.

Jalen Milroe and the Crimson Tide will host the Auburn Tigers (5-6) in the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT. The game can be seen on ABC.

Alabama wasn’t the only SEC team that fell in the Coaches Poll following a Saturday filled with upsets. Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels dropped seven spots to No. 16 after a 24-17 loss to the Florida Gators in Gainesville, while the Texas A&M Aggies dropped five spots to No. 19 after their 4OT loss to Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Ole Miss suffered the biggest drop of any ranked team.

The top four of the poll remained the same with the Oregon Ducks (11-0) at No. 1 for the sixth straight week after a Week 13 bye. The Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1) stayed at No. 2 after a convincing 38-15 win over the previously unbeaten Indiana Hoosiers (10-1) in Columbus. Indiana fell five spots from No. 5 to No. 10.

The Texas Longhorns (10-1) stayed at No. 3 after their 31-14 win over the Kentucky Wildcats in Austin. Penn State (10-1) remained No. 4 after a narrow 26-25 win at Minnesota. Notre Dame (10-1) moved up to No. 5 after a 49-14 win over previously unbeaten Army (9-1).

The Arizona State Sun Devils (9-2) saw the biggest rise of any ranked team, moving up seven spots to No. 15 after a 28-23 win over BYU to stay in the race for the Big 12 championship.

Full Week 13 US LBM Coaches Poll

Rank	Team	Record	Points
1	Oregon Ducks	11-0	1,375 (55)
2	Ohio State Buckeyes	10-1	1,318
3	Texas Longhorns	10-1	1,267
4	Penn State Nittany Lions	10-1	1,175
5	Notre Dame Fighting Irish	10-1	1,150
6	Georgia Bulldogs	9-2	1,103
7	Miami Hurricanes	10-1	1,023
8	Tennessee Volunteers	9-2	972
9	SMU Mustangs	10-1	917
10	Indiana Hoosiers	10-1	867
11	Boise State Broncos	10-1	838
12	Clemson Tigers	9-2	780
13	Alabama Crimson Tide	8-3	621
14	South Carolina Gamecocks	8-3	596
15	Arizona State Sun Devils	9-2	592
16	Ole Miss Rebels	8-3	569
17	Iowa State Cyclones	9-2	473
18	Tulane Green Wave	9-2	434
19	Texas A&M Aggies	8-3	357
20	BYU Cougars	9-2	329
21	UNLV Rebels	9-2	205
22	Army Black Knights	9-1	165
23	Memphis Tigers	9-2	151
24	Missouri Tigers	8-3	148
25	Illinois Fighting Illini	8-3	132

Schools Dropped Out

No. 18 Colorado; No. 25 Kansas State

Others Receiving Votes

Kansas State 124; Colorado 115; Duke 31; Syracuse 19; Louisville 8; Louisiana 7; Washington State 6; LSU 3; Miami (OH) 1; James Madison 1; Iowa 1; Georgia Tech 1; Baylor 1

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Kalen DeBoer gives injury update on Deontae Lawson

The Alabama linebacker exited Saturday’s game due to an injury.

In the midst of the Alabama Crimson Tide’s road loss against the Oklahoma Sooners on Saturday night, the team lost one of its’ most prominent names defensively early in the game in starting inside linebacker Deontae Lawson.

Lawson exited the game due to an injury in the first half against Oklahoma, and would not return to the game for the Crimson Tide defense.

A big loss for the Crimson Tide, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer also commented on the injury to Lawson as part of his postgame press conference Saturday night, saying of a potential update on the linebacker:

“It’s going to be a lower extremity injury,” DeBoer said. “We’ll evaluate further when we get back.”

In addition to this, DeBoer also commented on what the absence of Lawson meant for the Alabama defense Saturday night, as well as some challenges that it presented the Crimson Tide.

“Any time you lose a great player like Deontae, it’s going to affect you,” DeBoer said. “His leadership, he is the guy who makes a lot of the calls on the football field. It just seems like he’s always in control. We have trust and belief in the guys that come in with JJ (Justin Jefferson), and those guys take a lot of reps, and he’s played a lot this year too. Any time any of your captains or top players, it’s going to hurt your demeanor emotionally, but also the execution on the field.”

DeBoer’s next press conference will come Monday afternoon, which is where we are likely to hear the next update surrounding the injury status of Lawson.