There’s no way to sugarcoat how the Alabama Crimson Tide began their season Saturday in Tallahassee. The first drive of the game was absolutely beautiful—but after that, everything went downhill fast. Alabama ended up on the wrong side of program history, and it wasn’t even close.
“For the first time in 24 years, Alabama is 0–1 to start the season, and for coach Kalen DeBoer, more losses are coming for his program unless major corrections are made across several areas,” CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford wrote.
This marks Alabama’s second season without Nick Saban at the helm, and with performances like this, it’s clear he’s no longer patrolling the sidelines.
“If No. 8 Alabama needed any reminder that the Nick Saban era is over, they got it Saturday during their 31–17 loss to Florida State. The Crimson Tide not only began the season with a loss, but to an unranked Seminoles team by two possessions. The Seminoles, who went 2–10 a season ago, held control for much of the game over Alabama,” SI’s Eva Geitheim wrote.
So far, DeBoer hasn’t exactly won over the Crimson Tide faithful. After the loss, he pointed to himself, the coaching staff, and the players as being responsible.
“I choose to believe we've got a good football team," DeBoer said. "But we can't play on our heels. We're not going to be what we think we can be, what we want to be, if that's the case. And that falls on everyone. I don't just point the finger at the players."
Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
If Alabama continues down this path, the cost of change won’t come cheap.
“Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer has one of college football's largest buyouts this season at approximately $63 million following a multi-year contract he signed in January 2024 to succeed Nick Saban with the Crimson Tide,” Crawford wrote.
With the legacy Nick Saban left behind, winning is no longer optional—it’s expected. Another season missing the College Football Playoff could be a serious blow to DeBoer’s future in Tuscaloosa. His tenure didn’t get off to a great start in Tallahassee. And if the Crimson Tide ultimately decide to make a change, it’s going to come with a massive price tag.
For now, Alabama will do everything it can to avoid paying that $63 million buyout.