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Since losing to Michigan in the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal, the Alabama football program has gone through a lot. Nick Saban has retired, there were some key departures via the transfer portal, and a few 2024 commits decided to sign elsewhere. Because of all that and more, ESPN has become weary of the Crimson Tide.
Though there have been plenty of negatives, it is important to remember that there has also been plenty of positive news. New head coach Kalen DeBoer is a proven winner, he’s hired a strong staff, and there have been some impressive pickups via the transfer portal and the recruiting trail.
ESPN’s original way-too-early Top 25 for the 2024 college football season had Alabama ranked No. 4, but that is no longer the case. In the latest updated rankings, the Crimson Tide has fallen to No. 9, which makes DeBoer’s team the fifth-highest-ranked SEC team.
No sense in complaining about a top-10 ranking, but being fifth in the conference the Tide just won last season is interesting.
Marco Schlabach of ESPN writes,
“Alabama’s transition under former Washington coach Kalen DeBoer has already been rocky, with Downs and highly regarded quarterback Julian Sayin transferring to Ohio State, Bond and tight end Amari Niblack jumping to Texas, offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor returning home to Iowa and several players leaving for the NFL. Then, making matters worse, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb and offensive line coach Scott Huff took jobs with the Seattle Seahawks last week. Saban’s dynasty wasn’t built with Tinkertoys, so the Crimson Tide will be fine in the long run.”
The Crimson Tide’s 2024 season, and the kale DeBoer era, begins on Aug. 31 in Tuscaloosa against Western Kentucky. We don’t know where Alabama will be ranked to start the season, nor do we know what to expect from this team….
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/alabama-football-loses-significant-ground-194554980.html
Author : Roll Tide Wire
Publish date : 2024-02-15 19:45:54
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