For years, former Florida State and NFL quarterback Danny Kanell has been a bane to Alabama Crimson Tide fans. Fairly or not, there have been Bama fans who were convinced that Kanell passionately hated the Crimson Tide. This season, Kanell's tune about Alabama has changed. Looking back, perhaps it started changing earlier. Kanell has expressed respect for Kalen DeBoer since he joined the Crimson Tide. If Kanell was motivated by hate, maybe it was just directed at Nick Saban?
In the 2006 NFL offseason, Nick Saban wanted to land free agent quarterback Drew Brees. Brees was coming off a serious shoulder injury, so Saban talked to his surgeon, the renowned Dr. James Andrews. Andrews told Saban that Brees was not a health risk. Miami's team physician said otherwise, stating that Brees had only a 25% chance of ever playing again. Saban was disappointed and, uncharacteristically for him, acquiesced to the doctor's judgment. The doctor was Dan Kanell, Danny Kanell's father.
Alabama fans can be glad that Dr. Kanell was wrong about Brees. With Brees, the Dolphins might have been so successful that Nick Saban would never have returned to college coaching. Apparently, Saban never forgave Dr. Kanell for his mistake.
Danny Kannell take on Alabama this season
Danny Kanell recently published a ranking of the top 12 college football teams. He has four SEC teams ranked above Alabama, but he has the Crimson Tide as the overall No. 10 team.
More interesting and more encouraging to Alabama fans, Kannell was recently bullish on the Crimson Tide going over its projected 8.5 wins. Kanell, along with Chip Patterson, Tom Fornelli, and Bud Elliott, made over-under picks for every SEC team. Georgia, Oklahoma, and Alabama were the only SEC teams that each guy picked to be 'over' in wins. They also agreed on 'under' for two teams: Kentucky and Texas A&M.
Here’s where the Cover 3 crew stands following our previews of SEC Win Totals ✍️ pic.twitter.com/gbUH4JAc4Q
— Cover 3 Podcast (@Cover3Podcast) August 14, 2026
Perhaps Danny Kanell has always been emotion-neutral about Alabama and Saban. Taking a pessimistic view of the Crimson Tide has served many in the media well for many years. Why should Kanell not follow that well-worn path? Whatever the situation, all positive Alabama Crimson Tide projections are welcome.
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