After suffering its second loss of the season in a 24-17 defeat to Tennessee, Alabama‘s back was against the wall. The Crimson Tide faced a critical moment in their 2023 campaign, and for a while, it seemed they were ready to respond to the imminent danger of that dreaded third loss.
Crimson Tide’s Resurgence
In a remarkable turnaround, Alabama rattled off three straight wins, showcasing their determination and skill. This included back-to-back victories over ranked opponents Missouri and LSU. Their hard work was paying off, resulting in them being the highest-ranked two-loss team in the Week 12 College Football Playoff rankings. The excitement was palpable, and fans began to dream of a potential playoff berth.
A Shocking Setback
However, the optimism came crashing down on Saturday as Alabama’s passionate push for the College Football Playoff (CFP) collapsed in stunning fashion. The Crimson Tide fell 24-3 to Oklahoma, a defeat that left fans and analysts alike reeling. During an appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum weighed in on Alabama’s lackluster performance, describing it as “a complete and total abomination.”
Finebaum’s Critique
“I don’t ever remember in an important game — listen, we’ve seen it in unimportant games with inferior coaches, but considering what was at stake, where this team had come from, I cannot remember an Alabama team that looked more clueless, more poorly prepared and executed, as woefully as that,” Finebaum stated. He emphasized the historical significance of the poor performance, lamenting that it overshadowed the team’s earlier successes. “It was a historically bad performance, and it’s really too bad because I thought Kalen DeBoer and his staff had done such a really excellent job of bringing this team back from the brink five weeks ago, and it looks to me like it all went down the drain Saturday night.”
Offensive Struggles
The statistics paint a grim picture for Alabama. It was a brutal showing for the Crimson Tide, who didn’t score a touchdown in the game for the first time since 2011. In total, Alabama’s offense amassed just 234 yards, a stark contrast to their previous performances. Quarterback Jalen Milroe particularly struggled, completing only 11 of 26 pass attempts and throwing three interceptions, including a pivotal pick-six in the third quarter. How can a team with so much talent falter so dramatically on such a big stage?
Looking Ahead
Despite the rest of the season’s gloomy outlook, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer isn’t throwing in the towel just yet. “It’s win and lose as a team,” DeBoer said. “We made that commitment not just for each other but that we’re gonna finish, and we’re gonna finish everything we do. There’s a big game next week, so we’ve gotta regroup, stick together. The right things are said in there by the guys as much as they’re hurting, and just keep playing and have pride in who we are and finish the job.”
Future Prospects
If Alabama’s sole goal was to reach the CFP, Finebaum may be correct in suggesting that the team’s chances have taken a significant hit. Barring a wild turn of events and a convincing performance from Alabama this weekend at Auburn, it’s unlikely the Crimson Tide will earn an at-large berth in the CFP. The stakes are high, and the pressure is mounting. Can they rise to the occasion?
Conclusion: A Defining Moment
This moment in Alabama’s season could define their trajectory moving forward. The team has shown resilience in the past, but this latest defeat raises questions about their ability to compete at the highest level. With a fierce rivalry against Auburn on the horizon, the Crimson Tide must dig deep and find a way to bounce back. Will they rise from the ashes, or will this setback linger as a haunting reminder of what could have been? The college football world will be watching closely.
