‘Waving the white flag, forget Alabama’: Finebaum, Saban + others react to Tide’s 2024 season
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Alabama was the highest ranked team left out of the College Football Playoff this year, leading many people to debate whether or not the Tide should’ve had a chance to play for a national championship.
But that was before the ReliaQuest Bowl where Alabama’s disastrous first quarter led to a loss against 13.5-point underdog Michigan. The defeat meant the Tide fell short of the 10-win mark for the first time since 2007.
That loss also sparked some fans and media pundits to walk back some of the things they said. Keep reading to see how the world reacted to Alabama’s loss + Kalen DeBoer’s first season in Tuscaloosa.
Nick Saban, former Alabama coach + ESPN analyst
Of course, the first opinion everyone wants to hear is Nick Saban. The dropoff to a new coach whenever Saban retired was always Alabama fans’ biggest fear and seeing the double-digit win seasons streak end didn’t help.
But Saban isn’t panicking. He was backing Alabama before the bowl game, saying the Tide had a resume worth making the CFP. But he said coming that close to the playoff may have been a reason for the loss.
“I think one of the big things that’s always been an issue is for all these teams that have a chance to get in the playoffs and don’t, it’s always a huge letdown when you go play — not take anything away from Michigan — a huge letdown when you play in a bowl game.”
~ Nick Saban
Saban also spoke about the turnover issues that allowed Michigan to jump out to a 16-point lead.
Paul Finebaum, SEC Network
Paul Finebaum often defended Alabama during the Nick Saban era, giving the team the benefit of the doubt when it came to playoff debates with a major focus on the strength of schedule for playing in the SEC.
He made that argument again after the 12-team field was announced but after the New Year’s Eve loss to Michigan, Finebaum changed his tune.
“I led the Alabama parade to get them into the playoffs. You know that. I stood on every building, especially on this show. And on the first day of the new year, I’m surrendering. I’m waving the white flag… Forget Alabama. Count me out.”
~ Paul Finebaum
The popular college football radio host and writer also spoke about the future of the Kalen DeBoer era in Tuscaloosa. He isn’t expecting to see DeBoer without a job this year but the seat is getting hotter.
“A lot of the good that he did early in the season went out the window. People will talk about ‘is he in trouble,’ and he’s not in trouble for his job but let me make it clear, the goodwill is gone for him. He enters a very critical season next year because I firmly believe he’s on a scorching hot seat. Doesn’t mean he’ll get fired but he’s gonna undergo a great deal of pressure next year.”
~ Paul Finebaum on Kalen DeBoer
Damien Harris, former Alabama running back
A key running back from the Saban era, Damien Harris has never hid his opinions on the Crimson Tide since he left Tuscaloosa. He won two national titles at Alabama so he knows the standard expected within the program.
Harris, a co-host of the Until Saturday podcast on The Athletic, backed Alabama for weeks after its Iron Bowl victory but he quickly backed off after the Tide’s loss to Michigan.
Greg McElroy, former Alabama quarterback + SEC Network analyst
Greg McElroy played on the first four teams of the Saban era, starting at quarterback for Alabama’s national championship in 2009. He also knows about the disappointment when having high expectations, finishing his career with a 10-3 season in 2010.
But watching this season, McElroy expressed frustration more than anything else.
“Troubling. Frustrating. Not anticipating pressure and guessing wrong at the end because you think pressure is coming. Just kind of sums up the season, though. A lot of good moments and a lot of really, really disappointing moments that you’re kind of left shaking your head.”
~ Greg McElroy after Alabama’s loss to Michigan
During an appearance on the Finebaum Show, the former quarterback also spoke about Jalen Milroe, who may have played his final game at Alabama.
“A lot of great moments. Spectacular athleticism that was occasionally on display. A lot of really good throws at times. I think he obviously battled back from adversity. Bad start to the day, a couple of fumbles, bad ball security, turnover on downs, took a sack on the first drive of the game and then had an interception, as well. The problem with Jalen is it always seemed there would be amazing moments followed by moments where you’re like, ‘Golly, come on.’ You know what I mean? It was just very up and down.”
~ Greg McElroy
Kalen DeBoer
Immediately after the loss to Michigan, coach DeBoer took to the podium at his postgame press conference. He focused on the positives from the game and from the season but admitted the locker room was full of disappointment.
However, DeBoer also said the 2024 season could be considered a success depending on how the program can bounce back.
“As long as we learn from it, then to me it can be a success moving forward. We’re going to take all these things that happened and there’s some things that happened in the game today… To me, it’s a success if we move forward and take advantage of the lessons even though we don’t want to learn those lessons sometimes because they’re hard. We’re going to learn from those lessons, move forward and be better because of it.”
~ Kalen DeBoer
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