Realistic Expectations in Coach DeBoer's First Year
With SEC Media Days starting on Monday, one of the biggest questions is going to be what are the realistic expectations for Alabama in Coach DeBoer's first year at the helm?
Since coming to Tuscaloosa, everything has fallen right into place for Kalen Deboer. He put together a very impressive coaching staff, did well in the transfer portal, and, since June, has done quite well on the recruiting trail. I am not sure if a new coach has had bigger shoes to fill after Nick Saban's retirement, but so far the transition has been smooth. With how well things have gone in recruiting, the expectations for a first-year coach in Tuscaloosa appear to be at an all-time high.
The Alabama fan base has been spoiled the last decade and a half and anything less than a playoff berth honestly will feel like a failure to most. With the expansion to a 12-team playoff, reaching the playoffs may be a little easier. However, despite potential losses not being as deflating in the pursuit of a playoff appearance, it is still going to be a tough road for the Crimson Tide in 2024. Realistically, the Tide can lose 2 games and still be an at-large team in the playoff field, but the schedule for Alabama in the first year of the expanded SEC it is far from a cake walk.
In September alone this football team has a tough road game going to Madison and finishing the month at home in a colossal showdown against Georgia in Tuscaloosa. Alabama could very well be undefeated going into October, but most experts seem to think Kirby will conquer the Tide without Saban on the other sideline. Luckily, even if Georgia is to win in Tuscaloosa, the door is far from shut on this team in its hunt for a national title. We've seen quite a few championship runs under Saban despite a loss, so there shouldn't be much concern if there is an L in September.
The month of October will be very interesting for this team with a trip to Knoxville and Missouri coming to town. This will be the first time back in Knoxville since the huge upset in 2022 and going into the season there hasn't been as much hype for the Vols in a while. Their offense is loaded and we will find out a lot about Coach Wommack's defense that Saturday. The expectations are always to beat Tennessee but the task has gotten a little tougher since Josh Heupel has taken over. Missouri had a very successful 2023 season and there is a lot of love for the Tigers this year. Despite the changes on the defensive side of the ball, this could very well be the best Mizzou team Alabama has ever played. Having that game in Tuscaloosa should do wonders it would seem.
Despite there being some interesting matchps for the Tide in October I see Alabama going unscathed in the month of October. This will be very important as business really picks up with the schedule in November. We all know about the usual big rivalry games against LSU and Auburn, but this year a trip to Norman between these games adds a little spice to the schedule. As of late, the Crimson Tide hasn't been as dominant on the road so going to Baton Rouge and Norman will be two huge challenges. The Iron Bowl is the Iron Bowl and we all know what that game means. This game has been a little more friendly in Tuscaloosa, but in year two under Hugh Freeze Auburn should be much improved.
If the Tide run the table in November, of course a trip to Atlanta and a playoff berth will be a lock. Worse case scenario, at the end of November the Tide will be sitting at 10-2 likely giving Coach DeBoer a slot in the first ever 12-team playoff bracket. It is very exciting to know we are less than 50 days out from the start of this season and we will find out quickly how everyone's predictions turn out.