Kalen DeBoer is in good company when it comes to having a team that grows into being a champion.
He has an Alabama football program in his first season that resembles one from the Nick Saban era. The Crimson Tide’s 2014 squad understands exactly what this Alabama team is enduring.
Saban had a young group in ’14, especially on defense.
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Former Alabama QB Blake Sims throws a pass versus Missouri in 2014 SEC Championship Game/Photo comes via Brett Davis – USA TODAY Sports
Reggie Ragland, Landon Collins, A’Shawn Robinson, Jonathan Allen, Ryan Anderson, and Cyrus Jones had to grow into leadership roles and earn their stripes. Blake Sims was a first-year starting quarterback, while Amari Cooper was the marquee wide receiver in the passing game.
The 2014 team had talent, but it had to learn how to play together, be a player-led group, and learn how to win games. Alabama faced adversity in 2014 with a 17-23 loss to Ole Miss on the road and squeaking out a 14-13 victory over Arkansas on the road. Fans had issues with that team to the point where Saban had to put everyone in their place during a press conference. Alabama dug deep and developed an us against the world mentality, winning out the remainder of its regular season schedule to clinch a berth in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game.
The Tide beat Missouri for the SEC title and advanced to the College Football Playoff.
It lost to Ohio State in the first-ever CFP Semifinal Game, but Alabama proved it could bounce back from adversity and run the table. The toughness of the 2014 team is the reason why Tide fans appreciate so much. This group under DeBoer has an opportunity to have the same story as the 2014 team that overcame.
Aug 31, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Will McLelland-USA TODAY Sports
Alabama has a young defense, Ryan Williams (a freshman) is the primary wide receiver, the Tide suffered a loss to Vanderbilt, and earned a narrow victory over South Carolina. After losing to Ole Miss and squeaking by Arkansas, Saban saw the 2014 team respond by thrashing Texas A&M at Bryant-Denny Stadium by a score of 59-0.
DeBoer takes this team on the road to Neyland Stadium to face the Tennessee Volunteers. Will this Tide team shut up the crowd at Rocky Top with a thrashing of its own?
Alabama fans want to see it happen.
This group has the ingredients of the 2014 unit, but can it turn things around and go on a run?
We will know Saturday in how it plays against Tennessee.
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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.
