eddieaggie85 said:

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South Carolina is going to be a tough out

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So freaking scared all the time. And don't take it personally. It's just that your comments are representative of a class of Aggie who protects himself emotionally, so that he can say,

"I told you so."

Well I'm going to tell you "so" now.

We're going to beat everyone.

EVERYONE.

I hit the wrong face emoji thing. It's supposed to be the rage one.

RAGE

I said this at the time it was announced. "Deboar must be nuts trying to follow Saban at Alabama. Saban was the greatest HC in college football history. No way Deboar can be considered successful against the Saban record even if Bama was now undefeated.

Bill Superman said:

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Soon as I saw the zoo wanted him I knew he would be a bad hire.

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Two weeks and a half ago, he looked all pro. Wow.

Bryanisbest said:

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I said this at the time it was announced. "Deboar must be nuts trying to follow Saban at Alabama. Saban was the greatest HC in college football history. No way Deboar can be considered successful against the Saban record even if Bama was now undefeated.

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At Washington, DeBoer earned a salary of $4.2 million annually. DeBoer now earns approximately $10.9 million per year under an eight-year, $87 million contract with Alabama, placing him among the highest-paid college football coaches in the nation.

No coach in his right mind doesn't make that move.

davido said:

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Bill Superman said:

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Soon as I saw the zoo wanted him I knew he would be a bad hire.

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Two weeks and a half ago, he looked all pro. Wow.

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It's almost like….. you shouldn't be making declarative statements like this with such small sample sizes. Especially with the new parity NIL and transfer portal brings, which already had Saban on the downslope when he left.

Never change, zoo. A guy who has coached over 100 games with a >80% winning percentage is a BAD coach because he's not immediately rolling in the toughest conference in the country in the transfer portal era. Do y'all even listen to yourselves?

Given this logic, what does this make Kirby?

Mark Stoops said:

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davido said:

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Bill Superman said:

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Soon as I saw the zoo wanted him I knew he would be a bad hire.

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Two weeks and a half ago, he looked all pro. Wow.

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It's almost like….. you shouldn't be making declarative statements like this with such small sample sizes. Especially with the new parity NIL and transfer portal brings, which already had Saban on the downslope when he left.

Never change, zoo. A guy who has coached over 100 games with a >80% winning percentage is a BAD coach because he's not immediately rolling in the toughest conference in the country in the transfer portal era. Do y'all even listen to yourselves?

Given this logic, what does this make Kirby?

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Or Elko. LOL

texag101 said:

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Bryanisbest said:

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I said this at the time it was announced. "Deboar must be nuts trying to follow Saban at Alabama. Saban was the greatest HC in college football history. No way Deboar can be considered successful against the Saban record even if Bama was now undefeated.

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At Washington, DeBoer earned a salary of $4.2 million annually. DeBoer now earns approximately $10.9 million per year under an eight-year, $87 million contract with Alabama, placing him among the highest-paid college football coaches in the nation.

No coach in his right mind doesn't make that move.

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Ok, so he loves $ more than winning, more than a successful career? He is worse than I thought. Do you think Saban would trade his 7 natties for a dollar amount? He quit a job that would have paid him that for two more years. But he saw the NIL and portal transfers as ruinous to his legacy. That's probably why he quit, not money.

DeBoer is clearly one of the top coaches in the last 5-10 years. I didnt look up all his stops but you would be an idiot to agrue against that. Is he a GOAT? Certainly not, that is clearly proven with the results this year so far.

I do think the biggest unknown is his ability to build a program and culture that rivals Saban's. Can he keep all his 5 stars in check and working to their highest potential? Or is he one of those "lightening in a bottle" coaches?

This he is biggest unknown. Can he build it up to guarantee himself a job at Bama in 10 more years?

He is clearly learning how to become a good SEC coach and still learning on the job. This ain't "Kansas" anymore....

His biggest problem is Bama Fan. He'll either learn how to handle them or he will be coaching the cowboys in a year or two. He looks like the kind of coach Jerry Jones would hire. And Kalen would like having to answer to only 1 owner, not 100,000 bama fans.

Under Kalen DeBoer, all 3 of Alabama's SEC games have been decided by 7 points or fewer: 41-34 home win over Georgia on 9/28, 40-35 road loss at Vanderbilt on 10/5, and 27-25 home win over South Carolina on 10/12. I think Alabama will lose two more road games at Tennessee on Saturday and LSU on 11/9. Even Nick Saban lost road games at Tennessee and LSU 2 years ago. If that happens, they will lose 3 games for the first time since a 10-3 (5-3 SEC) finish in 2010 and consecutive regular season games for the first time since 2007.

In 2020, Alabama finished as an undefeated 13-0 CFP national champion. 12 of those 13 wins were by 15+ points each, and the only exception was their 52-46 win over Florida in the SEC Championship Game. However, Alabama had played in close games much more frequently in Nick Saban's last 3 seasons.

2021: 5 of their 8 SEC games were decided by 7 points or fewer: 4 wins over Florida (away), LSU (home), Arkansas (home), and Auburn (away) and one loss to Texas A&M (away)

2022: 5 of 9 games against Power 4 teams decided by 6 points or fewer; 3 wins over Texas (away), Texas A&M (home), and Ole Miss (away) and 2 losses to Tennessee (away) and LSU (away)

2023: 3 regular season wins by 6 points or fewer over Texas A&M (away), Arkansas (home), and Auburn (away). Then a close win over Georgia in the SEC Championship and a close loss to eventual nation champion Michigan in the CFP semifinal.

The frequency of close games in Nick Saban's last 3 seasons indicates that Alabama already started losing some dominance in 2021. The NIL and transfer portal have increased parity because it has made it much harder to stack talent. Kalen DeBoer is learning how tough SEC football games are, even against the worst SEC teams.

100% agree with you guys who have said he's been a stellar coach on the west coast and compiled a very impressive win record, BUT, this is the SEC.

Early indications (and observations) is that he is making mistakes, some crucial and it shows lack of experience with this style of football. He may adjust fine and come out smelling like roses... (and very possible).

HOWEVER, if I'm a betting man, this is another Jim McElwain, Charlie Strong, Butch Jones, or even Dennis Franchione. He's good in his lane, with his style of football, but struggles to adjust to more physical play.

Right now, early indicators suggest he's in trouble... let's see if he can adjust and grow as a coach. Today, he's not ready for ground/pound football that the SEC produces. He's more comfortable with an air-raid attack and outscoring teams (a la long bombs against GA to win). I'm not sure he will fair well if he cannot establish line dominance at Bama. He has all the talent in the world, and spending it poorly.

Deboer's meteoric rise was with pennix pretty much the whole way. I was curious what he would look like without him.

Man, this thread reads just like folks talking about our coach. One good game, "Playoffs, here we come." One bad game, "He's AWFUL!!!!". Lots of ridiculous message board rhetoric that is over the top.

agchugger said:

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Man, this thread reads just like folks talking about our coach. One good game, "Playoffs, here we come." One bad game, "He's AWFUL!!!!". Lots of ridiculous message board rhetoric that is over the top.

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Yes, but it's entertaining

He may not do well in Bama because you never know.

But to say he has not been a good coach is just illogical. Nothing about his resume says anything but a Winner at all levels.

He took Washington to the championship game for crying out loud.

To those who thinks he is throwing away a chance at having a GOAT legacy by leaving Wash U is just crazy. No ONE, I mean No ONE would make Wash U a perenial top 5 team. At BAMA he would win more falling out of bed than at Wash u.

Following the GOAT is impossible. Also remember that Saban loss to Louisiana Monroe in 2007. It doesn't matter what kind of talent you have. Nobody should lose to them.

Good data. Bama also gave up 24 or more points 16 times in Saban's final 3 seasons. As mentioned earlier in thread, the "dynasty" ended in 2020. Saban had 1 NC in his final 6 seasons and their defense had already dropped a few pegs before this year. The depth that would wear teams out in the 4th quarter started leaving with NIL/Transfer Portal changes.

Iraq2xVeteran said:

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Under Kalen DeBoer, all 3 of Alabama's SEC games have been decided by 7 points or fewer: 41-34 home win over Georgia on 9/28, 40-35 road loss at Vanderbilt on 10/5, and 27-25 home win over South Carolina on 10/12. I think Alabama will lose two more road games at Tennessee on Saturday and LSU on 11/9. Even Nick Saban lost road games at Tennessee and LSU 2 years ago. If that happens, they will lose 3 games for the first time since a 10-3 (5-3 SEC) finish in 2010 and consecutive regular season games for the first time since 2007.

In 2020, Alabama finished as an undefeated 13-0 CFP national champion. 12 of those 13 wins were by 15+ points each, and the only exception was their 52-46 win over Florida in the SEC Championship Game. However, Alabama had played in close games much more frequently in Nick Saban's last 3 seasons.

2021: 5 of their 8 SEC games were decided by 7 points or fewer: 4 wins over Florida (away), LSU (home), Arkansas (home), and Auburn (away) and one loss to Texas A&M (away)

2022: 5 of 9 games against Power 4 teams decided by 6 points or fewer; 3 wins over Texas (away), Texas A&M (home), and Ole Miss (away) and 2 losses to Tennessee (away) and LSU (away)

2023: 3 regular season wins by 6 points or fewer over Texas A&M (away), Arkansas (home), and Auburn (away). Then a close win over Georgia in the SEC Championship and a close loss to eventual nation champion Michigan in the CFP semifinal.

The frequency of close games in Nick Saban's last 3 seasons indicates that Alabama already started losing some dominance in 2021. The NIL and transfer portal have increased parity because it has made it much harder to stack talent. Kalen DeBoer is learning how tough SEC football games are, even against the worst SEC teams.

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Props. Very good post.

He is Ass My Dude said:

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Isn't he like 10-2 against top 25 teams?

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This is what the same folks in here said about Jimbo, and usually ended it with, "it ain't like that anymore"…

classof92 said:

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Following the GOAT is impossible. Also remember that Saban loss to Louisiana Monroe in 2007. It doesn't matter what kind of talent you have. Nobody should lose to them.

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Saban didn't have the talent on that roster that deboer walked into. Not that Bama should've lost to ULM, but 2024 Bama has a significantly better roster than 2007 Bama. In reality, whoever replaced the goat was likely to fail because they're going to be compared to the goat every day of every season of their tenure

His record says otherwise.

Tenn or Bama will have 2 SEC loses…uga probably 2 SEC loses…I'd love for uterus to have a loss, but it would be fun for Arky to smack them in Fayetteville.

He isn't a bad coach... but there are certainly questions in my mind about his philosophy, game management and game time decision making. As well, SEC is the absolute highest level of CFB, along with the top 1/3 of the B1G but SEC is much deeper, and we have not seen DeBoar win at a high level in the Power 5/4 without having a veteran and very good QB. We will know much more about him once Jalen Milroe moves on and he has to play SEC ball with a young or developing QB.

Unless you are Mike Leach (RIP) or coaching in the NFL, there has to be a fundamental foundation of running the ball or having the ability to run the ball and winning the TO battle.

Vs. USC Bama was outgained, had 2 TOs, and barely had 100 yards rushing, and RBs had 68 yards rushing on 20 attempts... that sucks. Vs. Vandy Bama was outgained, lost the TO battle, and had 84 rushing yards on 21 attempts but the RBs had 74 yards on only 14 attempts.

Perhaps the most glaring alarm bell / flashing red light is from the CFP SF game vs. cow. We all know they got stomped vs. Michigan, but vs. cow in 4Q UW had a 34-21 lead and recovered a t.u. fumble at the UW 25 yard line with 12:40 left in the game. UW proceeded to throw FOUR straight incomplete passes before completing a 5th pass and punting. UW even got a 1st down on a PI call on 2nd down. Just ONE run there severely limits any cow comeback. IMHO it was criminal to not run the ball on the 2nd first down after the PI call. As a reminder t.u. got the ball back with about 40 seconds remaining in the game...

Yes it was not LATE 4Q, yes there was more scoring, but that is really poor game management IMHO.

My question is about the wisdom of trying to follow Nick Saban. Good luck. Now he has Feinbaum fanning the flames and boosters working on his replacement after one loss.

rootube said:

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My question is about the wisdom of trying to follow Nick Saban. Good luck. Now he has Feinbaum fanning the flames and boosters working on his replacement after one loss.

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He got paid.

Feinbaum fanning the flames because he wants to get paid.

Bama decision makers know there will be stumbles along the way. If their ego can't fully get in the way of common sense after a legacy change. But no doubt the leash will be short. But like two season short. Too much collateral damage to contend with to react before then (much less half a season).

W said:

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he lost to Vandy

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But also beat Georgia like a rented mule...

SinKiller said:

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He is Ass My Dude said:

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Isn't he like 10-2 against top 25 teams?

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This is what the same folks in here said about Jimbo, and usually ended it with, "it ain't like that anymore"…

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No, people, including me, said the opposite and pointed out that while he had a good winning percentage, it was only against weak competition. In games against teams that finished ranked he was actually pretty terrible.

ABATTBQ11 said:

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W said:

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he lost to Vandy

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But also beat Georgia like a rented mule...

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I've not rented a mule before but it's my understanding the mule isn't supposed to give almost as well as it takes in a fight with the renter.

Bama did beat Georgia by over three times the margin it did SC, which sounds pretty bad if you don't know the scores and as a bonus doesn't involve beating an animal extra vigorously because it belongs to someone else.

ABATTBQ11 said:

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W said:

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he lost to Vandy

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But also beat Georgia like a rented mule...

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It was a final possession game.

jturner181 said:

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100% agree with you guys who have said he's been a stellar coach on the west coast and compiled a very impressive win record, BUT, this is the SEC.

Early indications (and observations) is that he is making mistakes, some crucial and it shows lack of experience with this style of football. He may adjust fine and come out smelling like roses... (and very possible).

HOWEVER, if I'm a betting man, this is another Jim McElwain, Charlie Strong, Butch Jones, or even Dennis Franchione. He's good in his lane, with his style of football, but struggles to adjust to more physical play.

Right now, early indicators suggest he's in trouble... let's see if he can adjust and grow as a coach. Today, he's not ready for ground/pound football that the SEC produces. He's more comfortable with an air-raid attack and outscoring teams (a la long bombs against GA to win). I'm not sure he will fair well if he cannot establish line dominance at Bama. He has all the talent in the world, and spending it poorly.

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I think this is spot on. Bama just looks soft.

okay, where were we on this thread?

I wonder if we finally pass Bama in the polls? (Kidding… slightly).

Might be seeing some transfers out. There was a certain star receiver that almost came here