It is always difficult to replace a legend. There were a lot of unknowns with Kalen DeBoer replacing Nick Saban as head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Fans weren’t expecting that same Saban fury to remain under new management, but the fans were disappointed when the bullies became the bullied.
The Tide were embarrassed in Week 1 by the previously unranked Florida State Seminoles. Alabama showed no aggression outside of the first scoring drive. They were criticized over their lack of aggressive play in all phases of the game. That loss to FSU was the Tide’s fourth loss to an unranked team in the 14 games under DeBoer. It was also the program’s season-opening loss since 2001.
Alabama Crimson Tide is looking like the Alabama Crimson Tide
After that game, the Tide players reportedly had a players-only meeting to address the lack of effort. It was here that DeBoer entered the meeting to give a fiery speech to re-energize the team. Since then, the Tide have looked like the Tide in the last few seasons. Alabama’s defense looked like the murderball that Saban installed into the program. The offense plays with explosiveness and dominance on the ground and in the air.
In the games against the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks and Wisconsin Badgers, the Tide have outscored their opponents 111-14 and outgained them in total yards 1,037 to 357. There has been a huge difference in the play calls and how the team plays with effort.
Just weeks after the team was all counted out in the chase to get back to the College Football Playoff, Alabama looks to be back in its bully mindset. DeBoer, who looked calm and passive in Week 1, is coaching with fire and some anger. He was shown on the sidelines to be angry with a call on Saturday against the Badgers despite being up by three touchdowns.
DeBoer has lit a fire in his team after hearing fans and certain media outlets call for his job. We are seeing a more mentally imposing team led by DeBoer. The team has composure, but most of all, they have momentum and a more aggressive mindset.
The Tide are feeling great about their chances to compete for an SEC Championship, but they know they have to maintain that emotional aggression throughout the season. This newfound confidence comes at a great time for the newly ranked No. 14 Tide, who go on a bye week as they prepare for a tough road trip in two weeks against the No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs.
As of Sunday, the Tide are a four-point underdog to the Bulldogs. DeBoer and the Tide are likely looking forward to building off that mentality.
