Kalen DeBoer emerged from the sidelines with a mixed expression after guiding Alabama to a significant 24-21 victory over No. 5 Georgia at Sanford Stadium. The win not only alleviated some pressure from DeBoer, who had faced scrutiny in recent weeks, but also showcased his ability to thrive in high-stakes scenarios, a quality that led to his hiring as Alabama’s head coach after the legendary Nick Saban.
This latest victory improves DeBoer’s impressive record against ranked opponents to 16-3, showcasing his strategic prowess, particularly against top-10 teams, now standing at 6-1. Georgia’s Kirby Smart, once Saban’s protégé, finds himself unable to capture a victory against DeBoer, now 0-2 against him. The stakes were high for Alabama, with a loss at risk of marking the team’s first 2-2 start since 2003, a scenario DeBoer was eager to avoid.
The game showcased Alabama’s growth, resilience, and strategic play that the team had struggled with earlier in the season. DeBoer pointed out that past mistakes, including hesitation to go for it on fourth downs last year, have shaped his coaching approach moving forward. The Tide’s performance displayed an aggressive play style, highlighted by a successful execution of innovative plays and maintaining their composure in high-pressure moments.
One notable advance was quarterback Ty Simpson’s command on the field, adapting to the raucous crowd noise by ensuring each player understood the plays. Unlike the earlier season opener against Florida State, where Simpson faced significant pressure, Georgia failed to sack him throughout the game, allowing him to develop a confident rhythm. DeBoer was encouraged by the team’s ability to sustain drives, finishing 13-of-19 on third downs, marking one of the highest conversion rates against Georgia’s defense under Smart.
Despite areas needing improvement, such as tackling and the run game’s performance averaging just 3.1 yards per attempt, the overall execution of Alabama’s game plan led to productive scoring opportunities. Notably, the team successfully turned all four red-zone trips into points without turnovers, exemplifying effective, textbook football.
This crucial win represents a firm step in DeBoer’s journey with Alabama as he seeks to establish his legacy in a position following one of the most successful coaches in college football history. After enduring some tough moments, including a season-opening loss that cast doubt on Alabama’s trajectory, DeBoer’s Tide showed character by bouncing back with a decisive performance against a formidable opponent.
With renewed optimism following this showing, DeBoer expressed confidence in his team’s resilience, setting a promising tone for the remainder of the season and upcoming challenges, including a rematch against Vanderbilt, which previously handed the Tide a loss last year. The Alabama program remains poised for further success, buoyed by the potential that was on display against Georgia.