Alabama, Kalen DeBoer Slapped With 'Fraud' Label Before CFP

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Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide managed to punch their ticker to the College Football Playoff in spite of having three losses on the year thanks to their strong resume.

But there are some who feel that Alabama does not quite belong in the field.

Bruce Feldman of The Athletic recently polled more than two dozen Power 4 and Group of 5 coaches and asked them some questions about the CFP, one of them being which team in the tournament was the biggest "fraud."

While Ole Miss came in at No. 1, receiving 29 percent of the vote, the Crimson Tide collected 17 percent and were specifically ripped by multiple coaches.

“I think Alabama should have, like, five losses this year. They shouldn’t be there," an SEC defensive coordinator said.

Perhaps the coordinator feels that 'Bama shouldn't have beaten Georgia the first time around and should have lost to Missouri? Who knows.

A Big Ten defensive line coach also had something to say.

“Alabama. Maybe I’m old-school, but I don’t believe a three-loss team should have a shot to win a national title," the coach said. "I’ve watched them. They’re not that good this year. I didn’t see enough from them to get this chance.”

Say what you want about the Crimson Tide, but they have certainly put together a nice collection of wins in 2025, owning victories over four ranked SEC opponents.

Now, it should be noted that two of those teams (Missouri and Tennessee) didn't end the season ranked, but they were still tough squads at the time.

Yes, it's fair to question Alabama's inclusion given its embarrassing loss to Florida State in the opener and because it was absolutely hammered by Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. The Tide also lost at home to Oklahoma, the team it will be facing in the first round of the CFP.

But then that begs the question: who are you putting in over the Crimson Tide? Maybe Notre Dame has an argument, but otherwise, Alabama gathering seven wins in the SEC speaks for itself.

Is this Crimson Tide team as strong as some of the Nick Saban-led clubs from years past? No, but they are still a very talented group capable of doing some damage.

We'll see if Alabama can prove its doubters wrong.

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