In Tuscaloosa, belief is building. The Alabama Crimson Tide has worked for months to correct flaws that have created doubts among Alabama fans and across college football. Is the belief justified? Or is it merely hope driven by typical preseason optimism?
As reported by al.com, Kalen DeBoer recently said, "I believe there's a real belief that's building. You can feel it." Alabama fans don't often find DeBoer's words reassuring. Vexing is his repeated use of the word intentionality. There is nothing wrong with the word, but when DeBoer talks about his players being intentional, it feels like a vague and incomplete description. No doubt DeBoer means understanding purpose and the work details necessary to achieve purpose-driven goals.
Kalen DeBoer talks Alabama progress
DeBoer added, "I feel like we've been on a steady incline all of fall camp. It's been intentional. You're always trying to use whatever you know from the past to help you. We've been, the communication to our guys, we've done it in a way they can see what it was in the past as far as their output. You have so much data right now. It translates to the execution."
DeBoer's comments, though somewhat imprecise, are not word salad. It would be better if he just said that his guys 'get it' - the focus, the goals, the tasks, and the grind. Still, Crimson Tide fans are happy to settle for a feeling of 'belief' that has come from 'execution.'
Kalen DeBoer is not the only person feeling 'belief' about the Alabama Crimson Tide. For whatever reason, maybe just Keelon Russell as QB1, a growing number of not just Alabama fans are projecting Alabama to go 10-2 in the regular season. Not many Alabama fans appreciate Danny Kannell, but his recent Playoff prediction has Alabama as a 4-seed, with the Crimson Tide beating Notre Dame before losing to eventual National Champion Oregon.
Kannell's predicted 4-seed for Alabama and his explanation that one of the SEC's three playoff teams will finish 9-3 suggest that team will be Alabama. Will a 9-3 regular season, no Atlanta, and a playoff win satisfy Crimson Tide fans? No, 10-4 will not. But it will be acceptable as a building-block season as long as none of the four losses are the embarrassment that the Indiana game was last season.
For what it's worth, the new beliefs in Alabama have made my earlier Crimson Tide Bold Predictions less bold.
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