BATON ROUGE, La. — Kalen DeBoer sensed something building within his Alabama football team as they prepared for their pivotal road game against LSU. October had been unpredictable for the Crimson Tide, featuring oscillating results with a loss, a win, and another loss, showcasing moments of brilliance alongside some disappointing plays. The upcoming clash with LSU promised to be a demanding test, especially given that this was a critical College Football Playoff elimination game.
However, DeBoer and his players were fueled by confidence, which permeated the football facility during their bye week and preparations. “To be honest, we were locked in like never before,” said senior captain Deontae Lawson.
The game kicked off with a false start on the first play, sending a ripple of anxiety through the crowd at Tiger Stadium, reminiscent of their earlier loss at Tennessee. Yet, that marked the peak of adversity Alabama faced on their way to a commanding 42-13 victory.
“I thought we learned a lot from the Tennessee game,” DeBoer commented. Despite initial concerns, he felt optimistic that this performance would signal a significant turnaround.
The win not only strengthened Alabama’s position in the playoff race but also underscored the effectiveness of DeBoer’s leadership amidst a transition period for the team. With a record of 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the SEC, Alabama demonstrated resilience that bodes well for their remaining schedule.
How did they achieve this much-needed victory? By reinforcing DeBoer’s core principles while acknowledging their recent lessons. DeBoer emphasized their commitment to growth and improvement as they navigated through the season.
Alabama headed into the bye week on a high following a dominant win over Missouri. During this time, Tyler Booker, one of the team’s leaders, realized the importance of guiding the younger players. “I kinda took for granted how many young guys we have on the team,” he acknowledged, stressing the necessity for older players to mentor their less experienced teammates.
With 21 of their 44 players on the two-deep being freshmen or sophomores, adjusting to the many new faces has been a challenge. Roster turnover—a result of 39 departures through the NFL Draft and transfer portal—has meant that many starters on offense and defense are in their first year with the program.
Acknowledging this turnover, DeBoer challenged the team to evolve from being defined by “newcomers” to fully embracing their current roles. “There’s no such thing as a ‘new guy’ — we’re seven, eight weeks into the season,” Booker stated, conveying a newfound sense of urgency within the team.
On the field, Alabama’s leadership shone brightly during the game. The offensive line, spearheaded by Booker, didn’t allow a sack, enabling quarterback Jalen Milroe to achieve a career-high of 185 yards rushing and score four touchdowns. The defense, led by Lawson and Malachi Moore, kept LSU to just six points, showcasing a well-rounded team effort.
A key moment came with Lawson’s timely interception early in the second half, reflecting their diligent preparation. He credited practice for his success: “That’s just preparation,” he said.
As the game ended, an air of celebration enveloped the Alabama players and their fans, ringing out the fight song “Rammer Jammer” in Tiger Stadium. However, DeBoer reminded the team that complacency isn’t an option with three crucial games on the horizon.
The victory marks a turning point for Alabama, indicating the potential for a successful finish and playoff contention. With momentum building, the team is focused on maintaining their consistency, which is vital at this stage of the season. Coach DeBoer believes in their collective growth and readiness to meet future challenges head-on, igniting optimism among players and fans alike.
As they look to the future, it is clear that Alabama is hungry for success, eager to leverage their recent wins to propel themselves into the playoffs and reclaim their national standing. The desire to improve and complement each other’s strengths offers a promising outlook for the rest of the season.