The tides don’t seem too much on The Crimson Tide’s side with this one. You can’t take this away that the 34-0 blowout victory over Missouri is positive momentum for the Alabama boys. But it didn’t create the kind of impact Kalen DeBoer and crew hoped for on paper. Now, usually, games against LSU don’t need much added juice to make it interesting. It’s a rivalry game, after all. But this time it will!

Paul Finebaum thinks the upcoming Alabama-LSU game could be a “Playoff Eliminator.” With both teams sitting at 6-2, a loss in Baton Rouge could seriously damage their college football playoff hopes. Already with the Alabama playoff dream hanging on by a mere 51% chance, freshman offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor seemed to echo fans’ nerves and hopes alike. Not too long ago, he liked a social media post about Alabama’s slim CFP odds after their latest win, which was a subtle yet telling move from the five-star recruit. For the Crimson Tide, it’s like stepping onto a tightrope—one wrong move and their playoff aspirations tumble. Before the Tigers matchup, Bama had an estimate of 43% possibility; a loss would mean game over.

The defensive prodigy’s reaction might as well be a nod to reality. That is the 12th-best odds nationally. But it keeps them running for the very least. Kalen DeBoer and his Bama side are one of the most penalized teams this season. The Alabama head coach took the undiscipline remark in general when asked to comment on the discipline of his side. “I think there’s discipline in a lot of areas. There’s discipline off the field, discipline with the things that happen around the program each day,” he said. Not sure if he answered their question, but whatever the day is gone.

And right now, they need to focus on going from 50 to 100. The challenge is not just external competition but internal consistency. Quarterback Jalen Milroe, along with Proctor and the rest of the offensive line, must find ways to execute on offense, reduce penalties, and play with a relentless drive.

Still, pressure isn’t foreign to Alabama, nor to its head coach, Kalen DeBoer, who is in his first season with the team. Saban’s Darth Vader is far from giving up, rallying his team to remember that their fate is still in their hands.

Fate of Alabama and HC Kalen DeBoer in rival’s hands

“I know if you’re LSU, from a quarterback standpoint, they’ve got a really good one (Garrett Nussmeier) that knows what he wants to do with the ball,” he said at the Tigers press conference, hinting at the stakes and the playoff implications of this matchup. Even insider Danny Kanell is already throwing shade at Bama, saying “they don’t deserve to be on there” in the playoffs after losses to longtime rivals Tennessee and underdogs Vanderbilt. But is that really the case? No. 14 Alabama, sitting at 6-2, is definitely looking to climb past the “Top 12” line. Right behind them is No. 16 LSU, also 6-2, with a 21.9% shot at making the playoffs. Bama isn’t out of the running yet, but they’ll need a strong push to secure their place.

For DeBoer, it’s crystal clear: every game from here on out is a decider. With Proctor and the rest of the team dialed in, there’s a faint but unmistakable confidence that Alabama can pull through. Pressure will be at an all-time high as they march toward what could be a season-defining matchup with LSU.

Alabama is determined to show they’re still a powerhouse in college football. As we eagerly await their playoff fate, tune into the Essentially Sports The Think Tank podcast, where Trey Holder, Emily Griffin, and Erin Griffin delve into the world of the NFL.