By: Joe Delaney

TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services

Well, it had to eventually happen. Nobody coaches forever. Not even Nick Saban.

Yes, the GOAT of college football has cashed in his big pile of chips and moved on to the announcers booth and the beach in Florida. He leaves behind a legacy like no other.

In steps Kalen DeBoer with the biggest shoes to fill in college football history. DeBoer is a  great young coach with a winning pedigree, and a hell of a lot of guts and grapefruit. That’s what it is going to take to follow Nick.

DeBoer took Washington to the final four last year and brings in a nine-year head coaching record of 104-12. He is really the best coach Alabama could have gone out and got.

The only problem is that the Bama faithful look at that and think of Bear Bryant, Nick Saban and the old Shania Twain song…………”that don’t impress me much!” Everyone in Tuscaloosa will give DeBoer the benefit of the doubt. Until he loses a game.

The good thing for DeBoer and the Crimson Tide is that through all the upheaval and portal transfers in and out, the Tide has one of the best rosters in the country. Couple that with what many say was the best recruiting class in the nation in 23-24. And don’t forget that DeBoer’s 2024 recruiting class is currently ranked in the top 3. The pieces are falling into place. Don’t underestimate this guy.

One of the best things for Alabama is the return of Jalen Milroe. The Tide QB came into his own later in the ‘23 season and is very very good. Don’t agree?  Ask the Georgia Bulldogs.

Kalen DeBoer made Michael Penix Jr. a first-round pick last year at Washington. Jalen Milroe has the potential to be much better.

Surrounding Milroe will be a solid and huge offensive line with a lot of experience. Counting Parker Brailsford, who transferred in, the Tide return 4 starters and the TE. Tyler Booker the 6’5” 350 guard could be one of the first linemen off the board in next year’s draft.

Running back will be rock solid with Jam Miller and Justice Haynes. Watch out for the former 5-star Haynes. He could break out this year.

The wide outs are solid and will be bolstered by transfer Germie Bernard. Remember that name. All in all, this offense has greatness written all over it. We will know pretty quickly as the Tide have South Florida, Wisconsin and Georgia in 3 of the first 4 games.

Defensively the Tide have some holes to fill. Returning are Backers Jihaad Campbell and Deontae Lawson. They form one of the best duos in the SEC and maybe the country.

Couple them with a defensive line that has experience and talent and the front 6 in DeBoers 4-2-5 could be very good. Watch out for LT Overton the transfer from Texas A&M. He’s a former 5 star and should get on the field immediately.

The secondary is led by Malachi Moore, a returning captain and ALL-SEC caliber player. Throw in 3 transfers in Domani Jackson, Keon Sabb, and DeShawn Jones and the secondary should be very good. Jackson and Sabb are potential all stars.

This group has all the talent they need. We will know how well they have jelled together in the last week of September when Carson Beck and the Georgia Bulldogs come to town.

Oh, and what do you do when you lose your kicker who was the leading scorer in NCAA Division 1 history. Well, if you’re Alabama, you go get the Lou Groza award winner from last year. Graham Nicholson was 27 of 28 on field goals and should fit in nicely. Add in 3-year starter James Burnip, a second team ALL-SEC selection with a 47.6 yd average and things are good in Tuscaloosa.

The schedule is a tough but manageable one. It sets up very well in September. A USF team that surprisingly gave Bama a tough game last year comes to Tuscaloosa on September 7.

Follow that the next week with a trip to Wisconsin that will be a true test.

Start 3-0 and the nation will have all eyes on the September 28^th matchup with the Georgia Bulldogs in Tuscaloosa.

It will be one the most anticipated games of the year. If that secondary plays lights out, Bama will give the Dawgs all the want and maybe more.

From there the usual culprits arise. South Carolina, Missouri, and the Iron Bowl all at home with big road games at Tennessee, LSU, and Oklahoma.

Beat Georgia at home and barring a collapse, the Crimson Tide will be in the 12-team party at the end of the year.

Undefeated? I don’t think so. But a one or two loss Alabama team will be very dangerous when the playoff comes around. VERY dangerous.