Kalen DeBoer failed to live up to expectations in his first year at Alabama. The Crimson Tide didn’t advance to the College Football Playoff, finishing the 2024 season with a 9-4 slate. It won’t get any easier for him in the 2025 season as Alabama’s schedule is packed with tricky matchups once again. Here are five games that DeBoer could lose in the upcoming campaign.
5 Alabama Games Kalen DeBoer Could Lose in 2025 College Football Season
1. Georgia Bulldogs (Sept. 27)
The Alabama Crimson Tide will have its work cut out on Sept. 27 when it faces the Georgia Bulldogs on the road at Sanford Stadium. This will be the first time that these two rivals meet in Athens since 2015.
Kirby Smart and Georgia will be desperate to grab a victory against Alabama in front of their home fans. The Bulldogs have lost nine of their last 10 meetings with the Crimson Tide dating back to 2008. Their last win against Alabama came on Jan. 10, 2022, when they defeated the Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
2. LSU Tigers (Nov. 8)
The LSU Tigers enter the 2025 season as one of the top contenders to win the SEC Championship. They have retained several key starters, including quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, linebacker Harold Perkins, and running back Caden Durham. They also strengthened their lineup through the transfer portal, adding top recruits Patrick Payton, Nic Anderson, and Barion Brown.
Nussmeier showed what he is capable of last year, becoming just the second LSU quarterback to record at least 4,000 passing yards in a single season, joining Joe Burrow on that exclusive list. A strong outing from him might lead to an Alabama loss against LSU.
3. Oklahoma Sooners (Nov. 15)
Kalen DeBoer knows how difficult a matchup Oklahoma will be. The Crimson Tide registered its lowest-scoring output last season against the Sooners, recording just three points in a heavy defeat against Oklahoma. Alabama failed to counter the defense of the Sooners, who cruised to an easy 24-3 win.
XAVIER ROBINSON FOR SIX 😤
OKLAHOMA TAKES THE LEAD OVER NO. 7 ALABAMA‼️ pic.twitter.com/WZLBsjxzPq
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 24, 2024
The Sooners bolstered their offense this season with the addition of quarterback John Mateer through the transfer portal. He posted impressive numbers for Washington State last season, amassing 3,965 yards in total offense. He was the only FBS player in 2024 to record at least 25 passing touchdowns and score at least 10 rushing touchdowns.
4. Tennessee Volunteers (Oct. 18)
Tennessee handed Alabama one of its four losses last season, recording a 24-17 victory at Neyland Stadium. The Volunteers have fared well against the Crimson Tide in their recent matchups, winning two of their last three meetings.
The Vols are capable of beating the Crimson Tide again because of their defense. Cornerback Jermod McCoy will return for another season after posting spectacular numbers for Tennessee last year. He ranked fourth in the SEC in passes defended last year with 13.
5. South Carolina Gamecocks (Oct. 25)
The South Carolina Gamecocks came close to recording an upset win over Alabama last season, losing 27-25. LaNorris Sellers had an opportunity to give South Carolina a dramatic win against the SEC powerhouse, but his pass toward the end zone to Domani Jackson was intercepted as time expired.
Sellers starred for the Gamecocks in that narrow defeat, completing 23-of-31 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He is set to return this coming season for South Carolina, providing head coach Shane Beamer with a key weapon on the offensive end in the game against Alabama on Oct. 25.
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