The pressure is real in Tuscaloosa. Kalen DeBoer walks into his second season at Alabama knowing that anything short of a playoff berth could end his tenure before it truly begins. After replacing Nick Saban and delivering a 9-4 record in 2024, DeBoer finds himself under the microscope as fans and analysts question whether he’s the right man to restore the Crimson Tide to championship glory.
Can Kalen DeBoer Survive Another Playoff Miss at Alabama?
DeBoer heads into his second year at Alabama facing unrelenting scrutiny as pressure mounts for the Crimson Tide to return to national prominence. After a debut season that ended with a blowout loss to Oklahoma and a flat bowl performance against a depleted Michigan squad, questions about DeBoer’s long-term fit in Tuscaloosa are intensifying.
The standard remains the same, and Alabama’s fan base and national observers view anything less than a playoff berth as failure. Despite flashes of promise, such as wins over Georgia and LSU and a fifth consecutive Iron Bowl victory, Alabama failed to earn a spot in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.
Their November collapse against Oklahoma proved fatal to postseason hopes. As SEC analyst Mike Bratton put it: “No excuses for Bama. If they don’t make the playoffs this year, fire Kalen DeBoer. Fire his a**.”
The stakes for 2025 are clearly defined. Alabama boasts elite talent, highlighted by a receiver group ranked No. 3 nationally by CBS Sports and a secondary PFF ranks as the nation’s second-best.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper has already placed three Tide players in his first-round 2025 NFL mock draft. Yet success won’t be measured by projections or individual accolades. The standard, as always, is winning at the highest level.
“The job after Nick Saban, we always said that was the toughest job to get,” Bratton said. “And I feel like they hit a damn home run. Was it the success that Bama fans are used to? Absolutely not. But what you’re watching down there is a guy that is making this program as good and as elite as they’ve always been.”
Whether DeBoer can maintain the elite standard Bratton describes may depend on how Alabama navigates its 2025 schedule. The upcoming season presents a crucial test of whether the program’s foundation is strong enough to handle the pressure of championship expectations.
What Does Alabama’s 2025 Schedule Mean for DeBoer’s Future?
Schedule-wise, Alabama avoids Texas, Texas A&M, and Florida, and hosts Oklahoma, LSU, and Tennessee. Their toughest test is a road matchup against Georgia.
“You start putting the pieces together,” Bratton added, “If they can be better on offense, not have a quarterback that kills them, I think the defense will be a lot better.”
Quarterback remains a key question. DeBoer has yet to name a starter, with Ty Simpson and true freshman Keelon Russell in the mix. Bratton was clear on what Alabama needs to do.
“If Ty Simpson sucks after Georgia, I think you make the switch,” Bratton said, while also urging Alabama to give Russell meaningful reps. “Soon as Bama goes up 40 points, I need to see this kid out there doing something and not just handing the ball off.”
True freshman Keelon Russell also looms as a potential impact player.
“If I could guarantee you he was the best freshman quarterback in the country, how much confidence would you have in Bama?” asked Bratton.
Alabama’s schedule is both an opportunity and a challenge. Key games include early tests at Florida State and Georgia. With high expectations and no margin for error, DeBoer’s 2025 campaign has become a defining moment in his tenure.
