Power Rankings: Kalen DeBoer’s Struggles at Alabama
Kalen DeBoer’s inaugural season with the Alabama Crimson Tide was always expected to have its challenges, but the situation has worsened significantly as October unfolds. Following a promising victory against Georgia, where Alabama won 41-34 and DeBoer received praise as Nick Saban’s successor, the tide has turned dramatically. Recent losses to Vanderbilt and a narrow escape against South Carolina have raised serious concerns about the program’s direction.
While losing to No. 11 Tennessee on the road isn’t catastrophic, it highlights deeper issues within the team. The primary worry for DeBoer and Alabama is not just the defeats but the manner in which they have occurred. There’s a growing perception that DeBoer has struggled to instill discipline and effectively exploit opponents’ weaknesses.
In previous discussions, I emphasized that Alabama’s offensive line had a chance to excel. Under Saban, Tide teams thrived in the trenches, and DeBoer inherited a competent unit. However, compared to Saban’s powerhouse teams, the current squad appears merely average. DeBoer should have maximized the run game’s potential, but this has not materialized.
One of the significant concerns is the reliance on quarterback Jalen Milroe. DeBoer’s failure to adjust the offensive strategy, continuing to place excessive responsibilities on Milroe, raises alarms. Although Alabama has promising recruits on the way, the current roster lacks a standout running back or secondary playmaker, aside from Ryan Williams. Nevertheless, the team possesses enough talent to secure victories with a more cohesive performance.
Despite Alabama managing to limit Nico Iamaleava’s efficiency, they were unable to match the offensive output of Dylan Sampson. Milroe’s performance was particularly disappointing; he completed only 25 of 45 passes for 239 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. Additionally, he managed just 11 rushing yards on 14 attempts, taking three sacks in the process.
This underwhelming performance is not entirely surprising, given Milroe’s ongoing struggles to connect with playmakers beyond Williams. Although Alabama’s run game had shown some efficiency earlier, it became clear that having Milroe lead the rushing efforts was not a sustainable strategy. In fact, he outcarried both Jam Miller and Justice Haynes, which only compounded the problems.
Milroe’s difficulties stem from multiple factors, including challenges in finding open receivers and adapting to a more complex offensive scheme. He tends to scramble when under pressure, but defenses are increasingly taking advantage of Alabama’s lack of speed and dynamic playmakers outside of Williams.
DeBoer must reassess his approach before facing upcoming opponents like Missouri, LSU, and Oklahoma, who will surely look to exploit the vulnerabilities exposed in Alabama’s offense. It’s crucial to shift away from relying on Milroe to be the sole playmaker and to return to the principles that made Alabama a dominant force for nearly two decades under Saban.
This pivotal moment in DeBoer’s tenure calls for introspection and strategic adjustments. With a challenging schedule ahead, he must refine the team’s offensive identity and ensure that players are utilized effectively to maximize their strengths. Alabama has the talent to succeed, but the current trajectory raises questions about the team’s future under DeBoer’s leadership. If adjustments aren’t made swiftly, the remainder of the season could continue to spiral downward, jeopardizing not only the campaign but also DeBoer’s long-term prospects in Tuscaloosa.
