Where does Kalen DeBoer rank among first-year college football head coaches at the Power Four level?
Kalen DeBoer’s first season as Alabama football coach has been far from perfect. It’s been far from disastrous, too.
The Crimson Tide lost to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma, two 6-6 teams that were both heavy underdogs when hosting Alabama, as well as the arch rival Tennessee Volunteers in DeBoer’s first dance with the ‘Third Saturday in October’ rivalry.
But Alabama also won nine games and has a chance to finish in the top 10 of the polls and to reach 10 wins for the 17th consecutive season (a streak that began back in 2008).
On Thursday, USA TODAY Sports’ Paul Myerberg gave letter grades to every first-year college football coach at the FBS level after their respective debut seasons. DeBoer received a B.
Myerberg said:
“There were good moments, including wins against Georgia, South Carolina, LSU and Missouri. There were also some pretty sour moments, most recently in the 24-3 loss to Oklahoma that held Alabama out of the playoff. DeBoer’s first year reinforced how hard life will be for Alabama in the post-Nick Saban era.”
DeBoer’s grade was in line with that of Michigan coach Sherrone Moore. Alabama will face Michigan in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl (Outback Bowl) on New Year’s Eve at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. Kickoff is at 11 a.m. The game will be televised on ESPN.
Alabama announced DeBoer as its head coach on Jan. 12, less than 48 hours after Saban’s sudden retirement from the sport. DeBoer took the Washington Huskies to the national championship game last season before falling to a 15-0 Michigan team.
DeBoer ranked just above his Washington successor, Jedd Fisch, who was given a B- grade. Indiana Hoosiers head coach Curt Cignetti topped USA TODAY Sports’ grades with an A++.
Among the three first-year SEC coaches, Texas A&M’s Mike Elko received an A- grade after guiding the Aggies to an 8-4 regular season. Mississippi State’s Jeff Lebby received the lowest grade of any FBS coach with a D after the Bulldogs finished 2-10.
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Official dates are set for Alabama’s 2025 SEC football schedule. Take a look at who the Crimson Tide play and on what date.
The Alabama Crimson Tide already knew which teams they would be facing in SEC play for the 2025 season. Now, the official dates of those conference games have been finalized.
The SEC unveiled its full 2025 conference slate for all 16 teams Wednesday night on SEC Network. For Alabama, the Crimson Tide will be making road trips to Athens to face Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs, to CoMo for a showdown with the Missouri Tigers, to Columbia, S.C., for a date with the South Carolina Gamecocks, and to Auburn for the Iron Bowl rivalry with the Auburn Tigers.
Alabama’s trip to Athens will be their first since Oct. 3, 2015 when Nick Saban’s team defeated Georgia 38-10 in the rain at Sanford Stadium. The trip to Mizzou will be the first since the 2020 season opener on Sept. 26, a 38-19 Alabama victory at Faurot Field.
Moreover, the Crimson Tide’s game at South Carolina will mark their first trip to Williams-Brice Stadium since opening SEC play in 2019 with a 47-23 win over the Gamecocks.
For Kalen DeBoer, his second year in Tuscaloosa will feature the ‘Third Saturday in October’ clash with the Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium, as well as conference home games against the LSU Tigers, Vanderbilt Commodores and Oklahoma Sooners.
Outside of conference play, Alabama opens the 2025 season in Tallahassee against the Florida State Seminoles on Aug. 30. The Crimson Tide also welcome the Wisconsin Badgers to Tuscaloosa on the back-end of their home-and-home series with Luke Fickell’s team.
Two more nonconference teams visit Bryant-Denny in 2025: the ULM Warhawks and the FCS Eastern Illinois Panthers.
Here’s the full 2025 Alabama football schedule.
Alabama football schedule 2025
Aug. 30: at Florida State
Sept. 6: vs. ULM
Sept. 13: vs. Wisconsin
Sept. 20: BYE
Sept. 27: at Georgia
Oct. 4: vs. Vanderbilt
Oct. 11: at Missouri
Oct. 18: vs. Tennessee
Oct. 25: at South Carolina
Nov. 1: BYE WEEK
Nov. 8: vs. LSU Tigers
Nov. 15: vs. Oklahoma Sooners
Nov. 22: vs. Eastern Illinois
Nov. 29: at Auburn Tigers
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The selection committee makes its final call on whether Alabama is a College Football Playoff team in 2024.
The Alabama Crimson Tide learned their 2024 College Football Playoff fate after the selection committee released its final CFP rankings Sunday.
The Crimson Tide (9-3 overall) were ranked No. 11 in the final rankings and did not qualify for the first ever 12-team College Football Playoff. The final at-large berth that Alabama had been hoping to grab went to the ACC’s SMU Mustangs (11-2).
Even with three losses, it took a perfect storm of sorts for the selection committee to keep Alabama out of the playoffs.
Despite ugly losses to the Vanderbilt Commodores (40-35) and Oklahoma Sooners (24-3), Kalen DeBoer’s team went into championship weekend Saturday needing either SMU to defeat the Clemson Tigers in the ACC Championship Game — or for Dabo Swinney’s Tigers to win big against a Mustangs team who had an inferior schedule compared to Alabama’s.
Alabama’s strength of schedule was ranked No. 16. SMU’s strength of schedule was No. 60.
Neither one happened. In what was previously described as a “doomsday scenario” for Alabama, SMU fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter against Clemson and trailed 31-14 heading into the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Kevin Jennings rallied the Mustangs from 17 points down, only for Clemson to win as time expired on a 56-yard game-winning field goal from kicker Nolan Hauser. Final score: Clemson 34, SMU 31.
With Alabama out of the CFP for only the third time since the playoff’s four-team inception in 2014, the Crimson Tide now await their bowl game destination, as well as which players will invariably enter the transfer portal amid roster attrition.
One bowl option for Alabama is the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Another is the ReliaQuest Bowl (formerly the Outback Bowl) in Tampa.
The top four seeds in the final CFP rankings were the No. 1 seed Oregon Ducks, No. 2 seed Georgia Bulldogs, No. 3 seed Boise State Broncos and No. 4 seed Arizona State Sun Devils. Those four teams will receive first-round byes and play in the quarterfinal round of the playoff.
Desmond Howard took a swipe at Alabama football’s CFP resume on ‘College GameDay’ Saturday.
ESPN’s “College GameDay” featured a lively debate segment on the résumés of two CFP hopefuls entering play Saturday: the Alabama Crimson Tide and the SMU Mustangs.
Alabama (9-3 overall, 5-3 SEC), ranked No. 11 in the recent CFP rankings, would be the last team to reach the 12-team College Football Playoff field based on the selection committee’s latest bracket barring any significant movement Saturday.
Where it gets tricky is what will happen to the Crimson Tide’s CFP hopes if the ACC-leading Mustangs (11-1, No. 8 CFP) lose in an upset to Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers in their conference championship matchup at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
An SMU loss to Clemson would boil the final playoff spot down to a debate between a three-loss Alabama team vs. a two-loss SMU team. One reached its conference title game; the other didn’t.
CFP chairman Warde Manuel briefly joined GameDay host Rece Davis and reiterated what he said Tuesday night: that teams who weren’t playing on championship weekend would not change in the ranking order regardless of Saturday’s game. For instance, the 12th-ranked Miami Hurricanes would not jump No. 11 Alabama.
But Manuel seemed to leave the door open to the possibility of SMU getting the final at-large berth over Alabama, if the Mustangs indeed lose to Clemson Saturday night in an upset.
After Manuel’s brief conversation with Davis, former Alabama coach Nick Saban weighed in with his thoughts on Alabama vs. SMU for the final playoff berth.
“I hear these guys talking over here about who they lost to, but who did you beat? Yeah, they’re looking at record, but who did you beat? SMU, how many top 25 teams did they beat? How many top 25 teams did Alabama beat? And I don’t think that we want to go down the road with this whole playoff thing where we enhance people for playing a weaker schedule to get more wins.”
Alabama beat four teams that are (or were) ranked in the Top 25: the Georgia Bulldogs, Missouri Tigers, LSU Tigers (8-4) and South Carolina Gamecocks. SMU beat two: the Louisville Cardinals and Pitt Panthers. Neither Louisville (8-4) or Pitt (7-5) are still ranked.
Moreover, Georgia (10-2, No. 5 CFP) is playing for the SEC championship and a first-round bye in today’s conference title game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. South Carolina (9-3) is ranked No. 14 in the CFP rankings, while Missouri (9-3) is ranked No. 19.
When pointing to the Crimson Tide’s name on a video screen, fellow GameDay analyst Desmond Howard said the biggest problem he had was the number next to Alabama’s loss total. Howard took a shot at Alabama for having three losses — mostly notably to the Vanderbilt Commodores (6-6) and Oklahoma Sooners (6-6).
Howard said:
“To me, if you handle your business, then you don’t put it in the committee’s hands. But this team lost a game where they were a three-touchdown favorite, and then lost another game where they were a 13-point favorite and only scored three points. In that situation, you need to handle your business.
“To me, you forfeit your right to bitch about what Warde and the committee said moving forward because you didn’t do what you were supposed to, especially in your conference where ‘It Means More.'”
Saban countered Howard by pointing to Alabama’s wins:
“So this team here, they beat three top 15 teams. They lost some games they shouldn’t lose, but I think the windup of all this is very simple: there is not one coach in the country that should complain about the fact that they don’t get in the playoffs because the people who aren’t going to get into the playoffs, regardless of who they are, did not take care of business against a team they should have beat.”
If SMU loses to Clemson, especially in a close game, get ready for an even more spirited debate Saturday night and Sunday morning over the Crimson Tide and Mustangs for the final at-large CFP bid.
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.
“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)
Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
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)
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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?
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
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.
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)
Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
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.
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)
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
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)
Scott Halleran /Allsport
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)
Rick Stewart/ALLSPORT
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)
Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY NETWORK
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)
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
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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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.
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?
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.”
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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