“We’ve got to choose the best one when we really know,” the head coach said on Josh Pate’s College Football Show. “I think that’s going to be something that drags on to the fall. We’ll see. We declared Ty the starter a little bit earlier than I would’ve anticipated a year ago.“

DeBoer also praised the work done so far by Austin Mack and Keelon Russell: “The offense, in particular, with so many new linemen and a couple other guys and the backfield that needs some guys to step up, I really appreciate what Austin and Keelon are doing in their leadership role. At some point, there’s going to be a hard time for one of them, when we do decide and move forward with a starter.”

Who will be QB1 in Tuscaloosa?

Keelon Russell is currently seen by many analysts as the favorite to win the job following a redshirt freshman year where he showed elite efficiency, completing 73.3% of his passes and throwing 2 touchdowns in limited backup action. However, he faces stiff competition from Austin Mack, a redshirt junior who has spent three years in DeBoer’s system and served as the primary backup last season, recording 228 passing yards and 2 scores in four appearances.

While Russell offers higher physical upside and “future of the program” status, Mack’s extensive experience with the coaching staff makes this a tight race that will likely be decided late in August.

A tough schedule ahead

Alabama will kick off the 2026 season with a challenging stretch that balances high-profile non-conference matchups and early SEC tests. The Crimson Tide opens at home against East Carolina on September 5, followed by their first road trip to face Kentucky in Lexington on September 12.

Returning to Tuscaloosa, Alabama will host a massive showdown against Florida State on September 19 before welcoming South Carolina for an SEC clash on September 26. The opening month concludes on October 3, when the team travels to Starkville to take on Mississippi State at Davis Wade Stadium.

“I just don’t know how you could live with yourself and look into your players’ eyes if you’re looking at other opportunities in the midst of the season and getting ready for a playoff game and hopefully making a run at a national championship,” DeBoer said via on3.com.

“…I mean, this is Alabama. I’m at an amazing place. That’s the way I was looking at it. I chose to be here. I love the support and love our players and love the direction and everything the staff has done to put the pieces together here over the last two years. A lot of heavy lifting’s been done to get us to this point.”

The coach knows he is exactly where he wants to be: “…we’re right here where we want to be, and I plan on being here for a while.”

Rumors that didn’t materialize

Despite intense rumors linking Kalen DeBoer to high-profile openings at Michigan and Penn State, both programs ultimately went in different directions. Michigan aggressively pursued DeBoer but eventually hired former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham in December 2025 to replace Sherrone Moore.

Similarly, while Penn State considered DeBoer as a top candidate, they finalized a deal with former Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell to lead the Nittany Lions.

Simpson’s replacement

Following Ty Simpson’s departure to the NFL, the battle for the starting quarterback spot at Alabama for the 2026 season centers on two distinct talents. Austin Mack, a 6’6″ redshirt junior with deep knowledge of Kalen DeBoer’s system, holds the edge in experience and veteran leadership.

However, five-star prospect Keelon Russell is a serious contender, with his elite accuracy and mobility making him a fan favorite to potentially secure the job before the regular season kicks off.

Alabama Crimson Tide season kickoff

• vs East Carolina, September 5th
• at Kentucky, September 12th
• vs Florida State, September 19th
• at Mississippi State, October 3rd
• vs Georgia, October 10th

In fact, this was one of the points the coach emphasized after the game in his comments to ESPN sideline reporter Laura Rutledge. Bama knew they needed not only Simpson to mount a comeback but also an internal fire to drive them forward.

“Our guys have been in it all year long and … I’m proud of the fight,” DeBoer said. “I know I’m going to get that every single time we step on the field. We had to create our own breaks a little bit. We knew it was going to be a fist fight. We knew it was going to be a physical game, it’d be hard moving the ball, but you just got to keep playing.”

He also added: “We always talk about when your number gets called, be ready. These guys worked all week long, I really felt like they were dialed in. The critical moments, that’s the difference in our team this year than what we were in the past, and there were some critical moments where our guys stepped up and made plays. The players are the ones that bring everything to life and they did that tonight.”

Simpson, the architect of the comeback

In their thrilling comeback victory against Oklahoma, Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson played a nearly perfect second half to keep the Crimson Tide’s championship hopes alive. Simpson completed 18-of-29 passes (62.1%) for 232 yards and two touchdowns, leading a historic 17-point rally without throwing a single interception.

His poise under pressure and connection with freshman receiver Lotzeir Brooks proved to be the spark Alabama needed to secure the 34-24 win and advance to the Rose Bowl.

What’s next for the Crimson Tide?

After their dramatic comeback win over Oklahoma, the No. 9 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-3) have officially advanced to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. They are set to face the undefeated No. 1 Indiana Hoosiers (13-0) in the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

“Sources tell me that Michigan officials remain conviced that they want to attempt to hire Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer,” Thamel said during a College GameDay segment. “The result of tonight’s game is going to factor heavily into that pursuit, as an Alabama loss would make the logistics of attempting to hire DeBoer much more tenable.”

Thamel isn’t the only heavy hitter suggesting DeBoer’s tenure in Tuscaloosa could be nearing an end. ESPN’s Michael Wilbon echoed those sentiments hours before kickoff, suggesting that a loss tonight would effectively be the detonator for a move to Michigan.

“The coach at Alabama is going to have a job-on-the-line situation in 24 hours, and then headed to Michigan once he loses. And then Alabama’s looking. Then what are you going to say?” Wilbon remarked on ESPN.

Nick Saban stands firm behind DeBoer

Despite the mounting speculation, DeBoer still has powerful allies in his corner. Legendary former head coach Nick Saban recently voiced his unwavering support, emphasizing that the program remains committed to DeBoer as the leader for the long term.

“Kalen DeBoer has the total and complete support of the University of Alabama,” Saban stated before the Alabama-Oklahoma game. “They want him as the head coach at Alabama, no matter what happens tonight.”

“My family and I are very happy in Tuscaloosa and remain extremely grateful for the support of President Mohler, Greg Byrne, the board and so many others. We have an incredible opportunity in front of us, so my sole focus is on Alabama Football and our preparations to play Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff.

“I have not spoken and have no interest in speaking with anyone else about any other job. I am fully committed to this program and look forward to continuing as the Head Football Coach at the University of Alabama.”

DeBoer shuts down rumors

DeBoer redirected attention back to Tuscaloosa and the task in front of his team. By stressing commitment and focus, he appeared to draw a line between outside interest and internal priorities, signaling that any chatter about his future elsewhere is, at least for now, not part of his thinking.

The situation at Michigan is quite difficult; it’s a major program that currently lacks a “strong” head coach. They only have Biff Poggi as an interim, who knows the program from the inside, but it is not certain he will be the head coach next season.

Furthermore, DeBoer is quite comfortable with a $10.25 million salary at Alabama. At Michigan, they were paying Moore $6 million before his departure. The Crimson Tide head coach should not risk losing a contract that secures his future until 2031.

After finishing the season with a 10–2 record, Kalen DeBoer’s squad enters this crucial matchup fresh off a 27–20 win over Auburn, providing a significant confidence boost heading into what lies ahead.

On the other hand, Kirby Smart guided his team to an 11–1 record in the regular season, with their most recent and resounding victory coming against their long-time rival, Georgia Tech.

What happens if Alabama beats Georgia?

If the Crimson Tide defeat the Bulldogs at the Atlanta Falcons’ stadiums, they will secure the 2025 SEC Championship, and would also position themselves favorably for the committees’ selections for the upcoming College Football Playoffs.

This will be the fifth time that both the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Georgia Bulldogs face off to ultimately decide who will reign as the king of the Southeastern Conference. Alabama has become the winningest program in the conference, with 30 total titles and 11 since the SEC Championship Game was established in 1992.

What happens if Alabama and Georgia tie today?

If Alabama and Georgia finish the SEC Championship Game tied at the end of regulation, the game will immediately proceed to overtime to determine a winner. College football rules mandate that a champion must be decided, so there are no tie games.

What happens if the Crimson Tide lose to the Bulldogs?

If Alabama loses the SEC Championship Game to Georgia today, its chances of making the College Football Playoffs will be significantly harmed. While the committee may still consider them, an SEC Championship loss—especially a second loss of the season—would likely eliminate the Crimson Tide from contention, boosting the chances of other one-loss or undefeated conference champions.

When and where is the SEC Championship Game?

The SEC Championship Game is held annually at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. It is traditionally played on the first Saturday of December. DeBoer and Smart will face off once again in this conference classic.

Alabama and DeBoer always knew what they wanted to play for coming into the 2025 NCAA season. After a challenging journey, they are now staring right at it. On Saturday, the Crimson Tide will go head to head against the Georgia Bulldogs with the SEC Championship on the line. A win would punch Alabama’s ticket to the College Football Playoffs, while securing a first-round bye as a top-4 seed.

However, DeBoer believed he owed it to the fans in Tuscaloosa to hear directly from him, as rumors continue to whirl around his future. A loud buzz suggests the 51-year-old head coach could sign with the Penn State Nittany Lions ahead of the 2026 NCAA campaign. Now, DeBoer put those reports to sleep with a straightforward comment.

“We’re extremely happy at Alabama. We’re extremely happy here. I love the challenge, I love the grind, I love this place. There’s never been any link. There’s never been any conversation. There’s never been any interest in either way,” DeBoer stated, via Sidelines Sports Network Alabama.

Wasn’t always pretty for DeBoer in Alabama

Ever since DeBoer arrived in Alabama, he has been tasked with filling the shoes of Nick Saban. Needless to say, picking up right after one of the all-time greats in the history of college football is no easy thing to do.

DeBoer’s first season was far from ideal, as the Tide fell short of 10 wins in a year for the first time since 2007—Saban’s first season in Tuscaloosa. DeBoer has now led Bama to a 10-win regular season, but this upcoming game will put the coach on the spot again.

DeBoer must keep Alabama’s streak alive

When Alabama takes on Georgia at the SEC Championship Game, the weight of history will be on the Crimson Tide’s side. However, that will also mean DeBoer will be facing Saban’s legacy’s weight, as well.

The Tide and Dawgs have met four times in the conference title game before, with the ‘Script A’ holding a perfect 4-0 record. DeBoer must now keep the unbeaten mark against Georgia in the SEC Championship, or fans in Tuscaloosa may turn on him again.

It would be awful timing, too. A loss in the title game could leave Bama out of the playoffs, and even if it manages to make the 12-team cut, spirits may be at such lows the team can never recover from.

It wasn’t always pretty, but the Crimson Tide pushed through. Finishing the regular season with a 10-2 (7-1 conference) record, Alabama finished in first place in the SEC, punching its ticket to the Championship Game.

However, with wide receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator JaMarcus Shephard set to leave the coaching staff ahead of the 2026 college football season, many are skeptical about how that could impact the Tide. On that note, DeBoer voiced a straightforward comment.

“Yeah, [Shephard] really wants to be a part of everything that we do throughout,” DeBoer said about the co-offensive coordinator ahead of the SEC Championship Game, via On3. “There’s a couple things here right now early in the week that he’s got to part as far as obligations with kind of getting things started there with his opportunity at Oregon State, which we’re super excited for. He’s a guy that pours everything into this program.”

When will Shephard leave for Oregon State?

While a big opportunity awaits for Shephard in Corvallis, the current co-offensive coordinator will remain in Tuscaloosa a while longer. According to The Crimson White, Shephard will stay with the team through the SEC Championship on Saturday.

Whether the wide receivers coach will stay for the ride in the College Football Playoffs or not, that remains to be seen. However, all signs indicate Saturday’s showdown at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be Shephard’s farewell from DeBoer and the University of Alabama, as he is bound for Oregon State’s head coaching job.

How many times has Alabama made SEC Title Game?

When the Georgia Bulldogs and Alabama Crimson Tide meet in Atlanta, Georgia, two of the three teams with most conference championship appearances will go head to head. The Crimson Tide has been to the decisive conference game 15 times before — this year’s will be the school’s 16th appearance — boasting an 11-4 record.

As for Georgia, the Dawgs will be making their 13th appearance in the SEC Championship. In college football history, the school in Athens has won five conference titles while falling short in the decisive game on seven occasions.

SEC Championship rematch

Georgia and Alabama have also squared off in the Championship Game four times (2012, 2018, 2021, and 2023), with the Crimson Tide prevailing each time. This time around, the Dawgs will hope to earn their first win over the Script A in the title showdown.

In many ways, it’s an opportunity to start fresh, as Kirby Smart has never faced DeBoer in an SEC title matchup. It will also serve as a tiebreaker, with DeBoer and Smart owning one win apiece against each other in the NCAA. This time, it’s for all the marbles.

According to NOLA.com, Kiffin has signed a seven-year, $91 million deal with the Lousiana State University. If the Tigers win a national championship in college football under Kiffin’s guidance, then the automatic escalator in his deal assures he will become the highest paid coach in the nation. At the moment, he holds second place.

As reported, Kiffin will earn an average of $13 million per year. However, that number is subject to change due to the bonus incentives included in his contract. As it stands, only one other coach in the NCAA makes more in a season: Kirby Smart. The Georgia Bulldogs’ head coach signed a ten-year, over $130 million extension. According to USA Today, he made $13.28 million this year.

Kiffin and Smart’s salaries are now in close proximity. However, fans in college football note Smart has won two national titles. Kiffin, on the other hand, is still after his first. Moreover, as Kiffin won’t coach Ole Miss in the College Football Playoffs, he has yet to call the shots in a postseason game.

How much do Day and DeBoer make?

As reported by NOLA.com, Kiffin and Smart are the only head coaches set to make $13 million before incentives. However, Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day is on their tail. Following the national title conquest in January, Day earned $12.5 million in the 2025 NCAA season, per CBS Sports. Moreover, his contract included max bonuses up to $1.5 million.

As for DeBoer, the second-year coach in Alabama made a base salary of $10.25 million, according to Tuscaloosa News. At the time of his signing, DeBoer was the third highest paid coach in the Southeastern Conference.

Sitting behind Smart ($13.28M) and Steve Sarkisian ($10.8M per year), DeBoer will now make room for another coach, taking the fourth spot instead. However, that could all change if any of Smart, Sarkisian, or DeBoer win the natty, which would almost certainly put them in line for a pay raise.

LSU demands results

Signing Kiffin in such fashion and under such a rich contract only raised the stakes for LSU. Sky-high expectations were always going to be set for the program with Kiffin at the helm. Now, however, it’s truly championship-or-bust for the Tigers. And if it is a championship, then Kiffin will receive a significant bonus in his bank account, along with the long-desired silverware on his résumé.

Though this is only DeBoer’s second year at Alabama, the head coach has already faced Oklahoma before—and he’s determined to right his wrongs. Last season, the Sooners defeated the Crimson Tide 24–3, eliminating the Script A from College Football Playoff contention. Moreover, as Oklahoma handed Bama its third loss of the 2024 campaign, it also knocked the Tide out of the race for the SEC Championship.

This time around, the Crimson Tide is in a much better place in the NCAA. Boasting an 8-1 record (6-0 in the conference), Alabama is in pole position to make the 2025 SEC Championship Game. Moreover, the Tide should be a lock for the College Football Playoffs.

Barring a catastrophic home stretch of the year, DeBoer, Simpson, and Bama should make the cut for the expanded postseason. With only three games remaining, defeating Oklahoma would virtually clinch Alabama’s place in the playoffs. Therefore, DeBoer isn’t leaving anything to chance, voicing a strong message for the players.

Remember last year

“You know, we have a lot of new players on the team, so there are players that didn’t experience [last year’s loss to Oklahoma]. The ones that did certainly better remember,” DeBoer admitted, via On3.

“And understand that, more importantly, you’re facing a really good program that, you know, obviously, we went to their place and got beat up pretty good last year, and that’s who’s coming to town this week.“

Though Simpson saw the field on just a few occasions last season, he did take a snap during the 24–3 defeat in Norman. Now, Simpson and the Tide are seeking revenge against the Sooners as the school from the Land of Red Dirt walks into town.

Something new, something old

When Alabama hosts Oklahoma at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Nov. 15, it will mark just the second time the Sooners have visited Tuscaloosa in college football history. As it stands, the two schools have gone head-to-head seven times, with Oklahoma holding the upper hand at 4-2-1 against Alabama.

The Crimson Tide have never beaten the Sooners outside of Miami, Florida, as their two victories came at neutral sites. When Brent Venables and the Sooners arrive in Tuscaloosa, DeBoer, Simpson, and the Tide will not only face a ranked opponent but also the weight of having never defeated Oklahoma in the Heart of Dixie.

Home fans at Bryant-Denny Stadium weren’t treated to the offense’s best outing during the 20-9 win over rival LSU. Though Simpson finished the night with a notable stat line, it wasn’t always pretty for Alabama. However, sometimes it’s only about winning, and the ‘Script A’ did just that against the visiting Tigers, improving to 8-1 (6-0 SEC).

DeBoer and the Tide are now eyeing their next challenge in the NCAA. In Week 11, Alabama will host the No. 12 Oklahoma Sooners. In order to take down the school from Norman, DeBoer knows it will take a bigger—and better—effort from his college football program. On that note, the second-year head coach in Tuscaloosa delivered a firm message on what went wrong during the win over LSU.

“We only had 56 [rushing] yards, so it needs to be better,” DeBoer stated per On3. “And I think there’s a lot of things. I think there’s other things we can do to make the defense have to cover us. And we missed opportunities that would help open up the box a little bit.“

All-out effort

It sounds like a cliché, but that doesn’t make it any less true. Establishing the ground game is pivotal to any team’s success. From elementary to the big leagues, in college football it’s as crucial, as well. Alabama, however, had a non-factor in the running game during the win over LSU.

“It’s everything. It’s an effort across the board,” DeBoer noted. “When we run on the perimeter, let’s make sure we get the blocks out there. But yeah, we certainly got to be better than what we were.”

Unsurprising

Though running back Jam Miller is one of the most exciting players in Alabama, the Crimson Tide has struggled with the rushing game all season long. Through 9 games in the 2025 NCAA campaign, Alabama registers 1,007 rushing yards (average of 111.89 yards per game), which is the third-least among SEC teams.

On the contrary, Simpson and the passing game has thrived all year long. So far, the Crimson Tide registers 2,621 passing yards (291.22 yards per game), which puts the program in third place for the most among the conference. Of course, it’s a double-edged sword, and one that can come back to bite the Tide.

Whether it’s through the air or on the ground, being one-dimensional is far from ideal. With the postseason approaching, Alabama must find a way to get everyone involved on offense. With only three games remaining, DeBoer hopes to spark that change sooner rather than later.