In another life, it would be a virtual guarantee that Alabama would drop the hammer on the random Group-of-Five opponent on their schedule. Following a completely lifeless performance in Tallahassee, your guess is as good as mine on what version of the Crimson Tide we'll see in Saturday's home opener against UL Monroe.
Alabama should blow UL Monroe out. There's a massive talent difference between these two programs. But if the Crimson Tide that showed up against Florida State made the trip back to Tuscaloosa, then this game could be tighter than anyone thinks.
Right now, oddsmakers aren't sure what to make of Kalen DeBoer's team. Sharps are smelling blood in the water.
Alabama opened as 37-point favorites over UL Monroe, per FanDuel. That line has been bet down to 34.5 points as of Thursday night, a significant swing.
It shows that sharp bettors have zero faith in DeBoer and Alabama right now. They don't expect that the issues the Crimson Tide displayed last week will be fixed in one week's time. It's a fair line of thinking. Many wonder if Alabama's issues are systemic, a poison that has infiltrated the program and the locker room that won't be removed without a coaching change.
Alabama can't fix its issues against ULM, but it can take a step forward
There's no result that's going to make Alabama fans feel better this week. If the Tide wins 63-0, the narrative will be that it was a weak opponent, and fans will ask where that was a week ago.
If Alabama struggles, then the narrative will be that the season is completely off the rails and there's no cure for what ails this team.
All Alabama can do is play hard. They can work to get better. Rome wasn't built in a day. An in-season turnaround isn't going to happen in one game. Alabama just has to do the little things, keep stacking days and performances as they work to improve and reach the immense ceiling that this team has.
As disappointing as last week's game was, it doesn't change that this is one of the most talented rosters in the country. If they play hard, play disciplined, and the coaches can put them in positions to succeed, there's no reason they can't make a serious rush, last week's loss be damned.