Outkick.com's Clay Travis, an outspoken Tennessee fan, says he no longer fears the Alabama Crimson Tide with Kalen DeBoer in Tuscaloosa.
DeBoer is in his first year at Alabama, replacing the legendary Nick Saban, who won six national titles leading the Tide, and despite having the team in the College Football Playoff hunt most of the season, is staring at the most losses (three) Alabama has had since 2010.
In a Tuesday appearance on "The Next Round," Travis pointed to DeBoer's handling of quarterback Jalen Milroe and the offense as an "indictment" of his coaching chops compared to DeBoer's predecessor.
“I think it’s a bit of an indictment of Kalen DeBoer that you would get this far into the season and there is no plan B.
— The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) November 26, 2024
What happens if they stack the line of scrimmage, have elite LB play, shut down the edge for Jalen Milroe and he can’t make plays with his legs?” @ClayTravis pic.twitter.com/VxjggIYIMO
"Zero fear," Travis said. "First time that there's been zero fear of an Alabama coach since Mike Shula was on the sideline, so as a Tennessee fan, zero fear. It doesn't mean that Kalen DeBoer can't be good, it just means he's not Nick Saban. I think everybody has to acknowledge that this has been a season where there's a lot of nervousness in Tuscaloosa."
"Basically, if you keep Jalen Milroe from being able to run the football, you have a really good chance of beating Alabama this year," he added.
Travis went on to say that DeBoer not finding an answer to Milroe's running game getting shut down should be upsetting to Alabama fans.
'I think it's a bit of an indictment of Kalen DeBoer that you would get to this far into the season, and there is no plan B," he argued. "Like, OK, what happens if they stack the line of scrimmage, have elite LB play, shut down the edge for Jalen Milroe, and he can't make plays with his legs? What's our counterpunch?"
"The thing that would upset me from an Alabama fan's perspective is Kalen DeBoer has had the entire season to figure out that counterpunch, and other than throwing it up to Ryan Williams in contested plays and hoping that he makes an outstanding play, which he did twice, and only one of them counted ... in Oklahoma, there doesn't seem to be a gameplan on offense, and that's what would have me nervous going forward," Travis concluded.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email trent.baker@1819news.com.
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