Saturday can’t come soon enough for college football fans, especially those rooting for Alabama. Tuscaloosa will be buzzing this weekend as Alabama takes on Georgia in a key SEC showdown at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saban Field.
It’s the first meeting between Kalen DeBoer, Alabama’s new head coach, and Kirby Smart, and the buildup has been intense, with Georgia favored by 2.5 points. Tide fans are eager to see if Greg Byrne, Alabama’s athletic director, made the right choice in hiring DeBoer to lead the program after Nick Saban.
On ESPN’s *Get Up*, Paul Finebaum discussed why Saturday’s game is crucial for DeBoer.
.@finebaum says Kalen DeBoer's first game as head coach in the Alabama-Georgia rivalry is "massive." 👀 pic.twitter.com/ViaryIYEEN
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) September 25, 2024
“Georgia hasn’t looked sharp, nearly losing to Kentucky,” Finebaum said. “Meanwhile, Alabama has been impressive, and DeBoer has transitioned seamlessly—something almost unthinkable after replacing Saban. The fans still believe Alabama rules college football, even though that’s no longer the case, with Texas now on top. A loss would be a real shock, especially given how rare defeats were under Saban. Alabama fans aren’t used to it.”
**Kalen DeBoer Ready to Prove He’s the Right Choice for Alabama’s Future**
As Alabama football prepares for one of its biggest tests of the season, all eyes are on Kalen DeBoer, the Crimson Tide’s new head coach. With the monumental task of following in the legendary footsteps of Nick Saban, DeBoer is ready to show the nation—and especially Alabama fans—that he was the right choice to lead the Tide into the next era.
This Saturday, Alabama faces Georgia in a highly anticipated SEC clash at Bryant-Denny Stadium, marking DeBoer’s first encounter with Kirby Smart. Georgia enters the game as the slight favorite, leading many to question if Alabama still holds its dominance in the post-Saban era. But so far, DeBoer has exceeded expectations, guiding the Tide through a smooth transition that many thought would be impossible after Saban’s departure.
Greg Byrne, Alabama’s athletic director, placed immense faith in DeBoer when he selected him as the successor to one of the greatest college football coaches in history. Now, with the weight of expectations and the eyes of the college football world on him, DeBoer has a chance to further solidify that he is the right man for the job.
Despite Georgia’s struggles in recent weeks, including a near-loss to Kentucky, this game is still a major test for DeBoer’s Alabama squad. The Bulldogs are favored by 2.5 points, adding extra motivation for DeBoer and the Tide to prove they are still a force to be reckoned with.
The pressure is enormous, but DeBoer is embracing it. Alabama fans are eager to see if their new head coach can deliver a statement win and continue the winning tradition they’ve grown accustomed to under Saban. A victory on Saturday would not only boost Alabama’s championship hopes but also reaffirm that Byrne made the right call in trusting DeBoer to carry the program forward.
