For a moment there, it seemed like Alabama's dynastic reign of college football dominance was doomed to collapse without Nick Saban at the helm. The Crimson Tide missed out on the College Football Playoff in new head coach Kalen DeBoer's inaugural season, and opened his second year with a season-opening humiliation on national television during a date with Florida State.
As of this moment, the ship upon the Crimson Tide seems to have steadied behind a rush of wins, and winning heals all when it comes to making up for one's shortcomings as a head coach.
Though Alabama fans may forgive, they'll likely never forget the first indicator that not all was as Saban left it: last season's disheartening loss to a historical doormat in the SEC, Vanderbilt. The 40-35 final from Nashville in 2024 put quarterback Diego Pavia on the map and goalposts in the Cumberland River
One year later, the Tide and Commodores are squaring off again. This time, as top-25 adversaries hosting ESPN's College Gameday in Tuscaloosa. Bama are, as expected, heavy favorites to claim a win by the end of this year's edition, but that just makes the implications that much heavier on DeBoer's shoulders.
Win this game, and the Tide are back in business. Lose this game -- heaven forbid -- and the cracks in the foundation will be impossible to ignore.
DeBoer isn't anywhere near the hot seat at the moment; Alabama has put a lot of trust and faith into their new head coach, and a ranked loss won't be enough to put his position in jeopardy. But in the arena of public opinion, it'll be challenging to silence the whispers of doubt circulating in Alabama.
On the flip side of that coin, don't neglect the boost a ranked win could provide DeBoer and his program. It's a pivotal weekend for one of college football's most storied programs.
MORE COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS:
Clemson QB Cade Klubnik slammed for 'disastrous' season, horrific passing game
Texas QB Arch Manning banished below the top 40 in ESPN's quarterback rankings
Dabo Swinney drops brutal ‘coaching failure’ admission on Clemson’s record-worst start
Texas Longhorns could miss College Football Playoff entirely, 'have work to do' on season resume
Penn State’s playoff hopes have no room for error after crushing loss to Oregon