Paul Finebaum is right about Kalen DeBoer-led Alabama
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One of the most polarizing figures in college football is Paul Finebaum. Whether he’s criticizing Indiana, carrying the SEC’s water, or launching into another rant, he never lacks for sound bites. Fans frequently criticize his takes, but he recently delivered an opinion that much of the college football world can support—unless, of course, you’re an Alabama Crimson Tide fan.
During The Paul Finebaum Show on ESPN, Finebaum took calls from fans. Unsurprisingly, one of college football’s most storied programs became a major topic of discussion: Alabama football. From 2007 to 2023, the Nick Saban era produced one of the greatest dynasties in sports history. Saban’s success is undeniable, and many would argue he belongs alongside Bear Bryant in the conversation for the greatest coach of all time.
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But Saban is no longer Alabama’s head coach. Following his retirement, Alabama made the high-profile decision to hire former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer. DeBoer enjoyed significant success at Washington, but his transition to the SEC has not gone as smoothly. Finebaum no longer views Alabama as a legitimate national title contender, and his response when asked about the Crimson Tide’s chances made that clear.
“I don’t, no,” Finebaum said. “They’ll have a good team. I think they’re a playoff team, but I don’t know if they have the firepower to win it all. I think they potentially have a good quarterback, but do they have an offensive line that can protect that quarterback? Do they have any chance of running the ball? … I have to see a little more to believe it.”
Unwinding a dynasty
At a minimum, Saban’s teams consistently featured a strong offensive line, an effective running game, and an elite defense. So far, DeBoer has struggled to maintain that standard. Last season, Alabama had a first-round NFL quarterback under center but failed to win the SEC and couldn’t advance beyond the second round of the College Football Playoff.
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A weak offensive line and an inconsistent rushing attack played major roles in those shortcomings. Alabama still managed to beat teams with equal or lesser talent, but the foundation built by Saban’s recruiting classes is beginning to fade. As more of Saban’s players depart, DeBoer’s program will increasingly reflect his own roster construction and coaching philosophy.
DeBoer will likely do enough to keep Alabama competitive. The bigger question is whether he can elevate the program back into the national championship conversation. In an era of an expanded College Football Playoff, simply competing may not be enough.
Will Alabama fans accept that? History suggests otherwise. If the Crimson Tide aren’t making deep playoff runs by 2026, expect the pressure on DeBoer to intensify. That may sound extreme, but this is the SEC. As the leader of one of college football’s premier programs—and the successor to the sport’s most dominant modern dynasty—DeBoer faces expectations that few coaches could realistically meet.
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