Beating Tennessee in his first attempt will do wonders for Kalen DeBoer

Right now everyone is up in arms about the last two weeks for this Alabama football team, but beating Tennessee in his first attempt will do wonders for Kalen DeBoer. Winning cures all, and winning against against one of your team's most hated rivals does even more for you.

This is a rivalry that means a lot to both schools and don't let anyone tell you differently. The rivalry seemed to lose it's luster, at least to the outside eye, during the Saban years until the Volunteers won in 2022. If you are a long term fan of the Crimson Tide or Vols you know what this rivalry means, but since the upset two years ago the Third Saturday in October is back on the national radar.

DeBoer is quickly learning things are different in Tuscaloosa than any other spot he has been, and it will be even more clear after a rivalry game. As frustrated as some fans are with the most recent performances, winning in Knoxville will give him and his staff a little breathing room.

Despite his time in the Pac 12 and Big 10 I am not sure if he has been part of a game with such a hostile atmosphere as what will be seen Saturday. It will be imperative that Alabama gets off to a quick start and is able to take the crowd out of the game as much as possible.

Tennessee has definitely come down to earth a little since their hot early season start, and it is time for this Crimson Tide team to cash in on this. That Tennessee defense may be one of the best defenses that Jalen Milroe and company will see for the rest of the regular season.

On the other side of the ball ther are plenty of questions about what is going on with this defense. One of the easiest fixes for this much maligned untit will be taking advantage of Nico Iamaleava's inexperience. He seems to have regressed a little the last two weeks against both Arkansas and Florida.

History shows Alabama coaches who win their first game against Tennessee generally have had longer, more successful stays at the Capstone. Not only will beating Tennessee in his first attempt make the rest of October less stressful but DeBoer would join the ranks of Gene Stallings and Nick Saban of doing so on the first attempt. Some of the coaches who lost their first game against Tennessee are Ray Perkins, Mike Dubose, and Mike Shula and we all know how things went for all three. Surprisingly Bear Bryant did lose his first game against Tennessee, but did win 16 of 25 matchups against the Vols. I am a big believer in history and winning on Saturday will be huge for the direction of this season as well as Kalen's longevity in Tuscaloosa.