Will Alabama prove the national media wrong this time?
When was the best time for the football program at the University of Alabama?
Naturally, when it has been questioned or given little weight. The Crimson Tide’s national title squads from 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2017 were all questioned during the Nick Saban era.
During those four years, the Tide were underappreciated by the national media, but Coach Saban was aware of the program’s potential. Saban, who isn’t Alabama’s head coach right now, gave Kalen DeBoer plenty of options in the cabinet.
Despite losing players to other universities or the NFL, the Alabama Tide’s core still ranks among the top two or three teams in college football. The SEC media picked the Bulldogs to win the conference, and Georgia and Texas were chosen to represent the Southeastern Conference in the league championship game.
Ole Miss and Missouri are predicted by certain media analysts to finish the 2024 SEC season ahead of Alabama.
Jalen Milroe will undoubtedly have a lot to say about this, especially considering that the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback is returning. In the 2023 SEC Championship game, the Tide trounced Georgia, eliminating the Bulldogs from CFP contention.
With Nick Sheridan and JaMarcus Shephard leading DeBoer’s offense in fall, he will only get better. Although Ohio State’s backfield receives a lot of attention, Alabama boasts a strong group of running backs. Nobody is talking about how good a trio Justice Haynes, Jam Miller, and Richard Young is. Additionally, DeBoer has two freshmen that he may use out of the backfield: Daniel Hill and Kevin Riley. Alabama’s wide receiver room has elite potential, but the media hasn’t given it a chance. The likes of Emmanuel Henderson, Cole Adams, Ryan Williams (freshman), Germie Bernard, Kobe Prentice, and Kendrick Law are ready to make a big impression on the country.
The offensive line for Alabama might be at its finest since the 2020 campaign. A few players have made significant progress up front, and with Tyler Booker, Parker Brailsford, and Jaeden Roberts, the Tide may have the best guard-center-guard tandem in NCAA football.
Alabama’s defensive line rotation consists of three players deep. Jeheim Oatis, Tim Smith, Tim Kennan III, Jah-Marien Latham, and Damon Payne Jr. are among the returning veterans. With Malachi Moore and Keon Sabb (a transfer from Michigan), the Tide have experience in the secondary and depth at every linebacker position.
Alabama is aware of its strengths, which is why DeBoer exuded confidence and ease while speaking at the stage during SEC Media Days held in Dallas, Texas, last week.
In the preseasons of 2009, 2011, 2015, and 2017, Alabama was not considered an elite team by many, yet the Tide consistently proven the national media incorrect. It has something planned for when LANK 2.0 is released across the country in the fall.
