Kalen DeBoer admits crowd played a factor at Tennessee + how the Tide is preparing for trip to LSU
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There may not be a more daunting setting in college football than a nighttime kickoff at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.
That’s exactly the challenge that Alabama has awaiting for itself after a bye week. There’s plenty of pressure already building for this game as both team’s enter with two losses, making it a likely make-or-break game for both teams’ playoff hopes.
“Whether that is what it is or not, that’s how we’re gonna approach it even though we really don’t need to say too much in regards to that. We’re just focusing on what we can do right now in the moment and really honing in on the kind of mindset that you’re only as good as your last play.”
~ Kalen DeBoer, Alabama coach
Keep reading to hear more from the Crimson Tide’s coach including his thoughts on another SEC atmosphere + what you need to know about the LSU game scheduled for Nov. 9.
How Tennessee’s crowd impacted the Tide
in the week leading up to Alabama’s trip to Knoxville, a fake video of Kalen DeBoer saying the crowd would not be a factor went viral. In fact, DeBoer never said anything negative about the Volunteers fanbase leading up to that game but nonetheless, the fake video gave a little boost to Neyland Stadium.
During an appearance at the Birmingham Monday Morning Quarterback Club this week, DeBoer spoke with the media and was asked about how the crowd noise impacted the Crimson Tide against Tennessee + what the team can do to prepare for its next road game.
“You’d love to say it wasn’t but I think it arguably was. I think there’s some issues with the snap count and things like that. I think we worked into it, and we’ll continue to do the things in the week of preparation to mimic that and give us as many snaps as possible where we’re really relying on silent cadences and prepare for the hardest scenarios. But I felt like we did a good job of that, but we got in the moment and we struggled.”
~ Kalen DeBoer, Alabama coach
Both of the Crimson Tide’s losses this season have come on the road—both in the state of Tennessee. Alabama did get a win at Wisconsin but it has not won an SEC game on the road so far this season.
Over the final four weeks of the season, DeBoer will lead his team on trips to Baton Rouge and Norman, needing wins in both games to have a chance at the SEC title or an appearance in the College Football Playoff.
Alabama at LSU
The much-anticipated matchup in Baton Rouge officially has a kickoff time. Here’s what to know:
- Who: #14 Alabama at #16 LSU
- When: 6:30PM, Saturday, Nov. 9
- Watch: ABC
Last time the Crimson Tide traveled to LSU, the Tigers walked away with a 32-31 victory in overtime after converting a 2-point conversion on the final play of the game.
“That’s the way we’re looking at every single (game). We’ve gotta be comfortable being uncomfortable. We preach that just as far as emphasizing strain when it comes to just what we do every day, no matter what the situation is. And now, we’re really in that moment.”
~ Kalen DeBoer, Alabama coach
Still, Alabama has won 11 of the last 13 meetings including winning five times in Baton Rouge during that span.
This will likely be the 18th time since the turn of the century this rivalry matchup has featured two ranked teams. However, it will also likely be the first time since 2006 neither team is ranked in the top 10.
How do you think Alabama will do in its trip to Baton Rouge? Let us know by tagging The Bama Buzz on Instagram, X, Facebook + LinkedIn.
