We are in a new time in college football.
People crave parody and excitement now than ever before.
A four-team College Football Playoff became bland, so we now have 12 teams battling for an opportunity to win a national championship. The top four seeds will earn a first-round bye and the championship matchup will open 2025 in Atlanta, Ga.
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The University of Alabama has a tough schedule under Kalen DeBoer. As a first-year head coach for the Crimson Tide, DeBoer has the responsibility of navigating the schedule to help Alabama return to being champions. The Tide went undefeated only twice in Nick Saban’s 17 years at helm in 2009 (14-0) and 2020 (13-0). Can it go unbeaten under DeBoer? It will be interesting to see what happens on the field. How many games will the Tide win? How many matchups will it lose? A projection of its schedule is below.
Game 1: Western Kentucky
Alabama dominated season openers and home openers in the Saban era, so that will not change under Kalen DeBoer.
The Tide will have a spirited crowd for the first home game against Western Kentucky at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Alabama has more talent than the Hilltoppers, and it will be a good warmup matchup.
Final Result: W (1-0)
Game 2: South Florida
South Florida returns a talent quarterback in Byrum Brown for his sophomore season, but the matchup is in Tuscaloosa (Ala.) and Alabama should put on a show.
After it struggled to put away the Bulls on the road in 2023, the Tide will bounce back from that outing.
Final Result: W (2-0)
Game 3: Wisconsin
Alabama will take two victories and a lot of confidence on its first road trip under Kalen DeBoer to Madison, Wis.
Fox Big Noon has the broadcast for the matchup at 11:00 a.m. CT from Camp Randall Stadium. Wisconsin has experience and talent, especially on defense, but Luke Fickell will not have enough to run with the Crimson Tide.
Alabama comes out focused on the road in wanting to get DeBoer his first road victory as the Tide’s head coach.
Final Result: W (3-0)
Game 4: Georgia
Alabama football returns to Bryant-Denny Stadium after a bye week for its first major test against Georgia.
Kirby Smart comes into Tuscaloosa for the first time since 2020 after spending nine seasons (2007-15) with the program on Nick Saban’s staff as a defensive backs coach and defensive coordinator. The Bulldogs have Carson Beck, a power running game, and it constantly recruits well on defense. Smart sees this as an opportunity to make Georgia the gold standard of college football.
This will be a tough matchup with BDS going crazy all night long. It could come down to a field goal or a late turnover.
Smart’s desire will slightly edge-out DeBoer for a Georgia win.
Final Result: L (3-1)
Game 5: Vanderbilt
Alabama gets back in the win column versus Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn.
It will be the first time the Crimson Tide traveled to face the Commodores since 2017. Jalen Milroe and the offense will be clicking, and the defense should have a field day with Vandy. Alabama takes it anger out on the ‘Dores after losing to Georgia.
Final Result: W (4-1)
Game 6: South Carolina
Alabama comes back to Tuscaloosa for a home game against South Carolina on Saturday, Oct. 12.
The matchups it had against Steve Spurrier were competitive, but this is the first time for the Tide facing Shane Beamer.
South Carolina (5-7) had a losing record in 2023, and now Spencer Rattler is gone. Alabama does not overlook the Gamecocks, and DeBoer’s group gets it done at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Final Result: W (5-1)
Game 7: Tennessee
Alabama has Oct. 19 circled on its calendar.
Hendon Hooker, Jaylin Hyatt, and Tennessee’s offense shredded the Crimson Tide’s defense in 2022 at Neyland Stadium.
Hooker had six touchdown passes, including five to Hyatt.
Alabama had a Heisman Trophy winning-quarterback (Bryce Young) and other talented players, but it was not enough. The Volunteers ended its losing streak to Alabama and Nick Saban with a 52-49 victory in Knoxville, Tenn. Alabama has players on this current team that remember that game and do not want a repeat of it. The Tide handles Tennessee at Neyland this season.
Final Result: W (6-1)
Game 8: Missouri
Missouri could be a trap for Alabama if the Tide is not careful.
Alabama would be coming off a huge win over Tennessee on the road, and then it has Missouri at home.
Eli Drinkwitz has the Tigers coming off an 11-2 season in 2023. Missouri has a lot of playmakers that want to harass Jalen Milroe as well as embarrass Alabama’s defense. The Tide embraces the challenge and does not take the Tigers lightly.
Final Result: W (7-1)
Game 9: LSU
Alabama’s second revenge game circled is Nov. 9 against LSU at Tiger Stadium.
Jayden Daniels, a former LSU quarterback, delivered the Tigers to a 32-31 victory over Alabama in overtime in 2022.
It was the Crimson Tide’s second loss on the road the road that season.
Daniels is now in the National Football League, so becomes the marquee trigger man for the Tigers? Jalen Milroe has been in hostile environments before in his career and this will help him tremendously. Alabama gets payback over LSU on the road.
Final Result: W (8-1)
Game 10: Mercer
Alabama returns home after playing LSU to a tune-up game against Mercer.
The Tide will dominate the matchup and backups will see action.
Final Result: W (9-1)
Game 11: Oklahoma
Alabama will travel to Norman (Okla.) to battle the Oklahoma Sooners for the first time in school history.
Brent Venables has a really good team that finished 10-3 in 2023. However, Dillon Gabriel is gone at quarterback, so the Sooners need to locate a signal-caller. They have good players on offense and defense, but will it be enough to hang with the Tide?
Oklahoma’s crowd will play a role, but it won’t be enough. Alabama takes this one.
Final Result: W (10-1)
Game 12: Auburn
The Iron Bowl gives you something special each year.
Jalen Milroe gave Alabama fans “Fourth & Thirty-One” or “Gravedigger” with his game-winning touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond in the back, left corner of the end zone. Alabama earned a 27-24 win on the road, but this year’s matchup is in Tuscaloosa.
Hugh Freeze had success against the Tide at Ole Miss, but many don’t see this Iron Bowl as one for Auburn to take.
Alabama finished the regular season as state champions.
Final Result: W (11-1)
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
