Alabama Crimson Tide news and notes from the miserable weekend that was.
Alabama football falls 31-17 at Florida State
In what has become far too often an occurrence in the Kalen DeBoer era, Alabama lost a game in which it was a heavy favorite. Alabama went to Tallahassee as a 13.5-point road favorite, and promptly got ambushed by a team that was far hungrier and far more motivated.
After a promising opening drive that saw Alabama march down the field in 16 plays and 75 yards for a touchdown, Florida State scored 24 unanswered points, and the Crimson Tide played the majority of the rest of the way in a two-score deficit.
It was disappointing, but shouldn't have been surprising. This has been a consistent theme under DeBoer. So much so that it feels like time to say he's officially on the hot seat.
Kalen DeBoer's buyout is probably too big for an early move
Alabama fans are diving off the Kalen DeBoer bandwagon with reckless abandon. An offseason of goodwill and positivity was flushed away in one 60-minute disaster class in Tallahassee.
At just 9-5 in his first 14 games as the Alabama head coach, DeBoer has not lived up to the expectations he arrived with. Unfortunately, DeBoer and the Tide are probably stuck with one another for at least another couple of seasons.
DeBoer's buyout, unless he's fired with cause, is 90% of the remaining contract value. He signed an 8-year, $87 million deal to become Alabama's head coach last January. If Byrne made a move at the end of the season, it would cost the University nearly $60 million.
For better or worse, DeBoer is probably going to be the head coach at least through 2027, unless the pressure is too much for him and he decides to move on himself. Or, worse yet, Alabama bottoms out so much that it becomes more expensive not to fire him.
We're not there yet. But we're inching closer.
Ty Simpson makes a Tim Tebow-like vow
Ty Simpson didn't play a great game on Saturday. Unfortunately, it no longer looks like Alabama is good enough to win with average QB play as originally expected. They need a difference maker, someone who can elevate the whole offense.
It's hard to be too critical of him, however. Because on a team where it felt like a lot of people didn't play hard, Simpson was not among them. He fought and did everything he could do to help the offense. It wasn't enough, obviously, but if you can say anything about him, it's that he has heart.
After the game, Simpson made a Tim Tebow-like vow. It's a nice sentiment, but it falls on deaf ears right now for Alabama fans who are tired of hearing talk and would like to see some action.
One play sums up the poor overall effort of the Alabama defense
Certainly, Saturday in Tallahassee wasn't the first time an Alabama defense got ripped to shreds. It even happened several times during the Saban era. What was unique, however, was the complete lack of effort and hustle throughout the afternoon.
One play sticks out more than others. Redshirt junior safety Bray Hubbard - who stood in as a captain yesterday with Tim Keenan not able to make the trip - casually running across the field and assuming someone else was going to make a play.
I'd like to call that a benchable offense. Unfortunately, if DeBoer and DC Kane Wommack benched every player who didn't give 100% effort, they wouldn't be able to field a team next week against UL Monroe.
5-star RB commit has a monster game
Perhaps the only silver lining came on Friday with a glimpse of the future. 5-star RB Ezavier Crowell - an Alabama native and commit - made his season debut for Jackson High School and did not disappoint.
After serving a ridiculous one-game suspension, Crowell took out his frustrations on the opponent to the tune of 11 carries for 242 yards, and three touchdowns.
Alabama's RB room has been missing a legitimate difference maker for a couple of years now. Even if it doesn't find one in 2025, one is on the way for 2026 and beyond.