The Kalen DeBoer era is underway in Tuscaloosa, and expectations for the Crimson Tide remain high.
Alabama’s preseason win total is currently sitting at 9.5 at BetMGM Sportsbook, which is tied for the seventh-highest total heading into the season.
On the field, Heisman Trophy contender Jalen Milroe, who is +1000 to win the award, will run the offense in his second season at Alabama.
DeBoer is coming off an excellent season at Washington that saw him lead the Huskies to a national championship game appearance before falling to Michigan, and he’ll be in the mix once again at Alabama.
The Crimson Tide are currently +1500 (BetMGM Sportsbook) to win the national championship in Year 1 without Saban.
Those are Alabama’s worst preseason title odds in 16 years, during Saban’s second season at the helm in Tuscaloosa in 2008, according to Sports Odds History.
While DeBoer is one of few college football coaches who can come close to the greatness of Saban, I’m expecting a bit of a drop-off for the Crimson Tide this season, as their title odds suggest may be coming.
Alabama’s schedule is about as tough as it can get.
They’re currently set to face five ranked teams, including No. 1 Georgia in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 28.
In one four-week stretch, the Crimson Tide will take on Tennessee and LSU on the road and host Missouri – all three teams are ranked in the top 15.
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While they’ve won double-digit games every full season since 2008, I’m betting nine victories to be their ceiling this season.
The play: Alabama Crimson Tide to win fewer than 9.5 games (-130, BetMGM Sportsbook)