Kalen DeBoer has to work on improving the record from his debut year at Bama. The 9-4 record may not look bad, but when you’ve seen the kind of highs that the Tide experienced under Nick Saban, even a relatively average showing is enough to leave a dent in your coaching. Of course, the exodus of players post-Saban’s exit didn’t help. The poor offensive schemes under Nick Sheridan didn’t help. The same goes for Jalen Milroe’s inability to improve his passing game. However, the buck stops at the door of the head coach. As the team adjusts to new players and new staff for the 2025 schedule, it will see a new team added to its slate. Despite the Crimson Tide being a CFB juggernaut, an insider suggests that being elite will not be all the help they need to win against this team. DeBoer might have it easier than some teams when it comes to schedules, but it is no cakewalk, either.

Alabama will begin its 2025 season with a fiery start. They will face off against old rival Florida State on August 30. The Seminoles are looking to rise from a disappointing 2-10 record from last season. That’s also because there’s a new guy with a $6 million contract at the helm of its offense: Gus Malzahn.

The former UCF Knights HC took up the FSU position this year and will look to shake things up this season. Malzahn also reunites with former Boston QB Thomas Castellanos, who can bring some serious damage. Insider Drew DeArmond told College Football Addiction, “Gus has always been a creature of habit. So, Castellanos seems to fit the mold of what he’d want his quarterback to be: which is extremely mobile, being able to run the zone, read, being able to do the RPO game, throwing the football. I actually was really impressed with Castellanos.” 

However, the danger for Alabama rises from within itself. DeArmond said, “Kalen DeBoer needs to win that game, especially with how poorly Alabama looked in the bowl game against Michigan with all those guys sitting out. [They] put themselves in position 15 yards from the end zone to find a way to still win an ugly game.” He added that if DeBoer had won that, “[he’d] have that in his back pocket, but he didn’t. And so they really need to beat Florida State.”

Michigan defeated the Crimson Tide 19-13 in that bowl game. It was also their second consecutive loss to the Wolverines in a Bowl game.

DeArmond highlighted the central problem in Alabama. “The key is going to be the offensive and defensive lines. Alabama’s got a lot of injuries right now in their offensive line. They don’t have a lot of depth at offensive tackle.” DeBoer should be extremely concerned about the tight end room, which lost Josh Cuevas and Marshall Pritchett to injuries in the second spring scrimmage. OT Kadyn Proctor is practicing on a limited basis. Clearly, Alabama is lacking in some crucial positions. With a little over 4 months to go for the opener against FSU, DeBoer needs to speed up and replace injuries and reinforce strength in Bama’s offensive and defensive lines.

Kalen DeBoer still hasn’t picked his starting QB

While a weakening offense is immensely concerning, DeBoer has also yet to name his starting quarterback. The battle comes down to Ty Simpson, Keelon Russell, and Austin Mack. It’s been some time since spring practice has begun and scrimmages have been played. Yet. DeBoer has no update on who he is inclined to pick as the leader of the offense this season. Simpson might be a possibility, largely because of the experience he brings.

Even with Simpson in the room, it still lacks some serious experience. Mack rushed for 39 yards last season, and Russell made only 50. However, they all bring potential, and DeBoer has never indicated otherwise. After the second spring scrimmage, it seems that only Simpson and Mack got in most of the reps. But Russell isn’t down, DeBoer confirmed. “He’s killing it, doing a great job. He’s getting more and more comfortable moving the ball down the field. When there’s a throw to be made, he’ll make the throw, that’s for sure.”

However, DeBoer seems to be pretty content with the QB room, which is so far looking “consistent.” “They all bring something a little bit different to the table. Even though it’s not like maybe a runner and then a passer, it’s guys doing their thing and what their strengths are.” It’d be interesting to see who he brings out on the A-Day game, which would be a precursor of how the team is looking for the season ahead.

The opener against FSU, however, draws closer day by day. HC Mike Norvell is not going to rest easy this year. He will work with Malzahn and Castellanos to improve from last year as well. Who knows, maybe FSU might be able to pull an upset win over Alabama, given how strong their team looks as of now.