This season is intensifying week by week. Who would have thought that former head coach Nick Saban’s team would lose to Vanderbilt? The Crimson Tide, fresh off a victory over Georgia, faced unexpected challenges against the Commodores, leading to a shocking 35-40 upset.

After a shocking defeat, Alabama linebacker LB Deontae Lawson reflects on the factors that contributed to Kalen DeBoer’s team’s shocking loss to Vanderbilt. Lawson emphasized the need for improvement in discipline, teamwork, and execution. “Penalties hurt; you gotta beat them man to man. So, we just went on the same page.”

He further highlighted what went wrong with Alabama’s defense: “What was it about this offense that makes it so difficult to defend? Yeah, some plays we were just getting out of leverage that created big plays.” Kalen DeBoer is already under scrutiny, as many question whether he can uphold the legacy of Nick Saban at Alabama. While his recent win over Georgia garnered some appreciation, the shocking defeat against Vanderbilt has led to increased criticism of his leadership qualities.

Alabama lost to Vanderbilt for the first time in 40 years, which was a big surprise in college football. Kalen DeBoer now has something on his résumé that past coaches like Nick Saban and Mike Shula never had, and obviously, it is not an achievement but something a coach like him would never want. Kalen has lost to a team that many consider smart.

Vanderbilt Commodores shock No. 1 Alabama

Head coach Clark Lea and the Vanderbilt Commodores never imagined they could defeat a powerhouse like Alabama. However, through hard work and determination, they achieved the unexpected.

Their historic 40-35 victory over the top-ranked team showcased their passion and resilience. It also says a lot about Lea’s mindset. For the first time, Vanderbilt Commodores fans celebrated wildly. Sedrick Alexander was a true superstar who handled the offense very bravely. In spite of pressure to play at No. 1, quarterback Diego Pavia outperformed Heisman contender Jalen Milroe.

The Commodores started aggressively against Alabama, with Sedrick Alexander scoring two rushing touchdowns in the first quarter. This early success put significant pressure on the Crimson Tide’s defense throughout the game.

HC was very impressed with his team’s performance. ESPN reported his postgame statements, where he emphasized that such significant victories on major stages are what Vanderbilt football should represent: “This is the dream, right here.” He added, “And for the next 12 hours, I’m going to enjoy the dream. We’ve got more ahead of us, but this is what Vanderbilt football needs to be about: big wins on big stages. We’re going to go get some more.”

Lea and the Commodores did not let Alabama celebrate their victory over their biggest rival for a long time. Crimson Tide allowed the Commodores to extend their lead with numerous minor mistakes and penalties. They tried their best to narrow the gap to 30-28 with Milroe’s 58-yard touchdown pass to Ryan Williams. However, the Commodores were never out of the game; they did not take much time and responded with 10 points.

Kalen DeBoer’s squad will face South Carolina in their next game, presenting an opportunity for the team to bounce back after their recent loss. The performance against Commodores raised questions, and it remains to be seen whether they can respond positively or if they will continue to give critics reasons to doubt their abilities.