Probably the biggest upset in college football’s opening week was when the Alabama Crimson Tide lost to the Florida State Seminoles, 31-17. This came as a major surprise since FSU was coming off a two-win season and Alabama had a much better roster.
Questions are now being raised about Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer’s team. DeBoer took over the program from legendary coach Nick Saban last season, but he failed to lead the team to the 12-team College Football Field. Now he starts his second year with a massive loss that will keep him in the hot seat until the end of the season.
On Thursday, analyst Josh Pate offered a poignant take on Alabama’s future. He cast doubts about Alabama winning a national championship this season.
“Well, by my vantage point, when you say, ‘Can Bama get it corrected?’ I’m hearing you say, ‘Can they still compete for the SEC championship? Can they still compete for a national championship?'” Pate said on the Josh Pate’s College Football Show (2:15). “I’ve got serious doubts about that. But I will grant you there is a nonzero chance that, yeah, they can get it all corrected because there is a nonzero chance. Nonzero, meaning the percentage is small to me, but it’s not zero. So, you have to acknowledge that it’s real.”
Pate added that Alabama might have felt the absence of interior defensive lineman Tim Keenan and running back Jam Miller. He also said that FSU is a much better team than anticipated.
“There is a chance that those injuries just mattered a whole lot more,” Pate continued. “There’s a chance Florida State’s a great team and no one knew it yet. If we get to November and FSU is heading toward an 8–4 season, it’s a lot different than if FSU is heading toward an 11–1 season and going to Charlotte to play for the ACC title. In retrospect, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world to get beat by them in Week One on the road, ambush-style, before anyone knew what they had.”
What’s Next For Alabama After Losing The Season Opener Against FSU?
After a disappointing performance in Week 1 against FSU, Alabama held a players-only meeting, where they addressed the unrest within the group. Coach Kalen DeBoer is trying to sort out things so that the players feel motivated when they take the field against Louisiana–Monroe (ULM) this week.
Next, they will face Wisconsin in a more challenging matchup. To complicate matters, starting running back Jam Miller is expected to miss the Wisconsin game due to injury.
After Wisconsin, Alabama will observe a bye week before locking horns with SEC rivals, the Georgia Bulldogs.
Read More: Top 5 Potential Head Coaching Replacements If Alabama Fires Kalen DeBoer Ft. Jon Gruden
Also Read: Insider Claims Deadline for Decision on Kalen DeBoer’s Future, Says Alabama HC Already on ‘Hot Seat’
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