BREAKING: Paul Finebaum Takes Shot at Nick Saban Over Alabama’s Struggles trolling troubling questions that demands quick response
The 2024 college football season has brought unexpected challenges for some programs, including the No. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-3). Known for nearly two decades as the gold standard in college football, Alabama is navigating a transitional year under new head coach Kalen DeBoer after legendary coach Nick Saban retired during the offseason. The shift has not been as seamless as fans had hoped, with Alabama dropping two games to unranked opponents, including Saturday’s loss to the Oklahoma Sooners (6-5). These struggles have placed the team’s College Football Playoff hopes in serious jeopardy.
On the Paul Finebaum Show, SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum weighed in on DeBoer’s debut season in Tuscaloosa. While praising DeBoer’s coaching credentials, Finebaum questioned whether he is the right fit for Alabama. “DeBoer is an outstanding football coach,” Finebaum said. “But is he an outstanding football coach for Alabama? There are at least 20 programs where he would thrive, like he did at Washington. Alabama, however, is unlike any other job in college football.”
This season marks Alabama’s first with three losses since 2010—a rarity under Saban, who only suffered three or more defeats twice during his 17-year tenure. Despite the disappointing record, DeBoer retains a slim chance to guide the Crimson Tide into the College Football Playoff. For that to happen, Alabama must first secure a win against Auburn this Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET on ABC) and hope for further chaos, such as upsets involving higher-ranked teams, like last weekend’s losses by three of the top nine squads. A strong finish could help restore faith among fans and bolster DeBoer’s standing in Tuscaloosa.