The air in Tuscaloosa has felt different in 2024, and not in a good way. The standard at Alabama has been about dominance, and anything less is considered a catastrophe. But in Kalen DeBoer’s first season at the helm after Nick Saban’s retirement, the Crimson Tide looked shockingly mortal. A 9-4 record would be a success at most programs, but in a post-Saban world, it felt like the walls were caving in. Some called it growing pains; others saw it as an early sign of doom. While Tide fans were nursing their wounds, one Auburn alum was living for it, refusing to “Roll Tide” and reveling in their rivals’ pain.

Kalen DeBoer arrived at Alabama with an image of an offensive guru, but the offense performed only moderately well in 2024. The Crimson Tide ranked No. 42 in total offense, No. 56 in passing offense, No. 47 in rushing offense, and No. 22 in scoring offense. And everyone knows replacing Saban is nearly impossible. Charles Barkley fired his shots at “annoying” Bama fans on appearing on The Next Round podcast.

The 1993 NBA MVP, now a television analyst for TNT and CBS Sports, never misses a chance to take a jab at his in-state rivals. And he didn’t hold back yet again. The NBA Hall of Famer and Auburn legend wasted no time reveling in Alabama’s struggles, mocking their fans with a playful, drawn-out “Roll Tide!” before launching into a brutally honest assessment. He pointed out that Crimson Tide fans might be the most dramatic group in college football.

“The good thing about [Alabama] su–ing at football right now is they’re not running up in your face all the time saying, ‘Roll Tide! Roll Tide!’” Barkley said, dragging out the phrase in a way that made it clear he had been waiting for this moment. He acknowledged that Saban was the greatest college football coach of all time and had set an impossible standard, but he took issue with how Tide fans reacted to the program’s first real setback in nearly two decades. “They lost four games. They thought it was their apocalypse. I mean, is it like ‘Oh, it’s the end of the world’,” he said, laughing at how quickly panic had set in.

It’s not that Barkley doesn’t respect what Alabama built under Saban. In fact, he made it clear that he’s a fan of the legendary coach. “I love that guy. He’s awesome,” Barkley said. But his issue is with the fans—the same ones who seemingly spent years reminding every rival in the SEC about their dominance. The truth is, losing those four games isn’t an apocalyptic scenario for most programs. But for Alabama, it feels like an identity crisis.

The reality check for Alabama fans has been harsh. Kalen DeBoer inherited an impossible situation, stepping into the greatest dynasty in modern college football history. Growing pains were inevitable, and while the offense wasn’t the well-oiled machine, as some expected, Alabama still fielded a competitive team.

Kalen DeBoer was “stuck” with his ex-QB1

When Jalen Milroe announced he was returning to Alabama for Kalen DeBoer’s first season, it felt like a double-edged sword. SEC Network’s Paul Finebaum put it bluntly on The Paul Finebaum Show: “The good news was they inherited Jalen Milroe. The bad news was, they inherited Jalen Milroe. They were stuck with him.”

Now, that’s not a knock on Milroe’s talent—he’s an electric athlete with a cannon for an arm. But here’s the catch: DeBoer’s offensive system thrives with a pocket passer. His last quarterback, Michael Penix Jr., was an elite pure thrower, leading Washington to a national title appearance. Milroe? He’s built differently. While he made strides as a passer in 2023, his game is still centered around his ability to take off and make plays with his legs.

Now Alabama’s QB room in 2025? A bit worrying, to be honest. They had a rough season, and now they’re losing some key guys to the NFL. Ty Simpson, Austin Mack, and Keelon Russell are talented, sure, but they’re still unproven. But DeBoer’s bringing his own playbook, and he’s got Ryan Grubb from the Seahawks running the offense. So, will it click, or will it be a mess? Whatever it is, just don’t ask Barkley.