Five presents for DeBoer that could giftwrap Alabama football CFP win
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Alabama football has begun preparations for a College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Indiana in the Rose Bowl on New Years Day, but between now and then, the team will take Christmas break before traveling to Pasadena on Dec. 29. So what does Kalen DeBoer most need under his Christmas tree this year? Here are five presents for DeBoer that could help giftwrap a victory for the Crimson Tide over the Hoosiers:
1) The best version of Ty Simpson. After weeks of struggles, the fourth-year junior shook off concerns about his health with an excellent second half against Oklahoma. He’d not shown the same level of accuracy and decisiveness since the Tennessee game. That Ty Simpson can’t pull another disappearing act − not even for a quarter − if the Crimson Tide is to advance past the Hoosiers.
2) A healthy LT Overton. An undisclosed medical condition has kept the Crimson Tide defensive end from playing in the postseason − he was last seen on the field at Auburn − but DeBoer said Monday that he’s not to be ruled out for the Rose Bowl. Overton is a disruptor on an Alabama defensive line that doesn’t disrupt enough, so his return would be a major boost to Kane Wommack’s defense.
3) No more coaching departures. Funny how a successful season and assistant coach departures go hand in hand. Alabama has lost two offensive assistants already − wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan − although Sheridan, Michigan State-bound, is expected to stay with UA through its CFP competition. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack will continue to draw suitors as well. For continuity’s sake, DeBoer would be grateful for a quick end to hiring season.
4) A Ryan Williams reemergence. The enigmatic wide receiver, a playmaker of integral importance to DeBoer’s first Alabama team as a freshman in 2024, has all but disappeared from UA’s 2025 offense. Drops have been a major issue − he’s had 10 of them, per Pro Football Focus, including a costly one at Oklahoma − and Alabama’s emphasis on getting the ball in his hands has understandably waned. Williams hasn’t been targeted more than five times since Week 9 against South Carolina.
5) More of the new Conor Talty. The Alabama kicker hasn’t missed a field goal or an extra point since being booed after a chip shot miss against Eastern Illinois. That includes a 2-for-2 night on field goals at OU, the second of which was a high-pressure attempt, albeit from a reasonable 40-yard distance, that gave UA a 10-point lead. Alabama has been aggressive about going for fourth-down conversions all season, but a confident Talty ready to bang home three points remains an important part of a successful CFP run for Alabama.
Tuscaloosa News columnist Chase Goodbread is also the weekly co-host of Crimson Cover TV on WVUA-23. Reach him at cgoodbread@gannett.com. Follow on X.com @chasegoodbread.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Five presents for DeBoer that could giftwrap Alabama football CFP win
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