The Crimson Tide are rolling.
After a rough loss in the season opener, Kalen DeBoer & Co. have run off five consecutive wins to move to 5-1 on the 2025 season. The most recent win? An impressive road victory over No. 14 Missouri to remain undefeated in SEC play.
While just one win, it could represent something more significant for a program that accepts nothing less than excellence. DeBoer leaned on first-year starter Ty Simpson, and the gutsiness displayed by the head coach and quarterback should inspire confidence in Alabama's ceiling this season.
Here's how Bama got the win in Columbia, Mo., and what it could mean for their standing as a contender in the College Football Playoff.
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Gutsy calls from Kalen DeBoer, clutch plays from Ty Simpson lead Alabama vs. Missouri
As the saying goes, "scared money don't make money." That accurately describes DeBoer's approach on Saturday.
In a hostile environment, the Tide made numerous plays that quieted the crowd at Missouri's Memorial Stadium. Few were bigger than the plays down the stretch of the game.
In the fourth quarter, Alabama regained possession at the Missouri 40-yard line with 6:53 remaining and a three-point lead.
Facing third-and-24, Simpson connected to wide receiver Kevin Riley for 16 yards before DeBoer decided to go for it on fourth-and-8. The next play may be Simpson's best in an Alabama uniform.
WHAT A THROW ON FOURTH DOWN 😱 @AlabamaFTBL pic.twitter.com/iFWu41ALbS
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 11, 2025
The fourth-down conversion set up a goal-to-go situation from the nine-yard line. After failing to score on the first three downs, Alabama faced another fourth down, and Simpson passed the test by coolly making a one-yard touchdown toss to Daniel Hill.
GO up for it 4️⃣@d1danny3
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) October 11, 2025
📺: ABC pic.twitter.com/XMyOqH0jGc
More than just the plays themselves, the gutsy decisions illustrate a high level of trust between DeBoer and his team. Putting the ball into his quarterback's hands shows that DeBoer believes that Simpson is the type of player capable of making big plays in high-leverage situations.
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Saturday, Simpson made good on his coach's belief.
In the event Simpson was unable to make plays, DeBoer also displayed an inherent belief in his team's defense to hold serve against Missouri's defense. While the Tide's much-maligned rushing defense struggled at times with dynamic QB Beau Pribula, RB Ahmad Hardy was held to a season-low 52 yards.
Fittingly, it was the defense that sealed the game with a pick.
The above elements combined to result in an impressive statement win that could mean so much more.
As Alabama looks to continue its pursuit of a national title, it can find confidence in a win like this one. Championship teams go into hostile environments and make big-time plays in big-time situations, and championship coaches trust them to do so.
After the game, DeBoer told ESPN that his mindset on the fourth-down calls was to "Trust your guys," and that trust has paid off tenfold.
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Ty Simpson stats vs. Missouri
- Completions: 23
- Pass attempts: 31
- Passing yards: 200
- TDs: 3
- INTs: 0
- Rushing yards: 7
- Rushing TDs: 0
Simpson played turnover-free football and diced the Tigers' defense up on Saturday.
He finished the game having completed 74.2 percent of his pass attempts and throwing for three touchdowns. For the season, he's up to 13 touchdowns and just one interception.
MORE: Everything to know about Ty Simpson's rise to QB1 at Alabama
Kalen DeBoer Alabama road record
After going 2-3 on the road during his first season at the helm in Alabama, DeBoer is 2-1 on the road in 2025.
More impressively, DeBoer's last two road wins have come against ranked opponents, with the Tide besting No. 16 Vanderbilt in Nashville during Week 6 before this Week 7 win over Missouri in Columbia.
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