A Nick Saban-less world has worried many Alabama Crimson Tide fans.
It was certainly rocky in the beginning, losing some big-name talent to other A-list college football programs, like wide receiver Isaiah Bond to Texas and do-it-all safety Caleb Downs to Ohio State.
First-year head coach Kalen DeBoer has seemingly righted the ship, and add The Athletic’s universally-respected college football analyst Bruce Feldman into the believers camp. Feldman has the Crimson Tide making the inaugural expanded 12-team College Football Playoff as a No. 9 seed.
And if that weren’t exciting enough for Bama fans, he has them traveling to South Bend in a ratings-busting matchup against the No. 8 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Even Touchdown Jesus would have to stop what he’s doing to watch that game.
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“Kalen DeBoer led Washington to the national title game only two years removed from a 4-8 Huskies campaign,” asserts Feldman. “Now, he has an even bigger challenge: replacing Nick Saban. Jalen Milroe had a fantastic second half of last season. DeBoer has raved about his new QB’s work ethic. If Milroe can continue to blossom, he could become an even bigger problem for opposing defenses. The Tide are still very big and physical, but the secondary needs foundation work after losing two terrific corners and an elite safety. They added an athletic safety in Michigan transfer Keon Sabb, while ex-USC corner Domani Jackson is blazing fast and exceptionally talented.”
As always, it’s a fantastic breakdown by Feldman for every team he has in his CFP 12, and as my colleague Mat Raney pointed out in his three keys for Alabama to win the whole dang thing, the offensive line might be the biggest need for improvement coming off a dubious record-setting season of 48 sacks allowed in 2023.
DeBoer recently told Greg McElroy that the offensive line is the unit that has “improved the most from start to finish.”
If that’s the case, maybe Milroe will see that look of defeat in the non-Fighting Irish’s eyes. Then, Touchdown Jesus would have to look away.