The dust has settled on his lengthy, seven-year contract extension, but now it is time for Kalen DeBoer to prove himself in year three as the Alabama football head coach.
Alabama defense in ‘pretty good place’ heading into summer, per Kane Wommack
People are unsure on whether he was the right hire for the post-Nick Saban era; however, it is on the South Dakota native to put those doubts to rest.
DeBoer is focused on returning the University of Alabama to being Southeastern Conference Champions, and potentially College Football Playoff National Champions.
He has the talent to get it done, yet his team will open this fall as an underdog against two SEC programs.
According to BetMGM, Georgia and LSU are favored over the Crimson Tide.
LSU is a -3.5 point favorite over Alabama in the spread. The matchup is set for Saturday, Nov. 7 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La. Lane Kiffin will get his first crack at DeBoer as the Tigers’ new head coach.
Kiffin was Alabama’s offensive coordinator under Nick Saban from 2014 to 2016.
Georgia is favored in the money line at -135 to Alabama’s +115. Kirby Smart dropped back-to-back games to DeBoer and the Tide in the regular season, but the Bulldogs defeated Alabama in the 2025 SEC Championship Game. The game will be on Saban Field this season at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa (Ala.) on Saturday, Oct. 10.
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Stephen M. Smith is a team writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.

