We’re about to have the Week 5 of college football, and a thriller is awaiting us! Yes, Alabama is going against Georgia. It has tongues wagging that Nick Saban, the legendary coach, will not be on the sidelines anymore. Paul Finebaum had to say: just a friendly reminder that the world is not at the feet of the Crimson Tide. And now, with the arrival of Kalen DeBoer as the man in charge, everybody has a stake in everything. It’s the usual “What has he done for me lately?” as the Tide gets set for this wake-up call.

At the moment, with the Crimson Tide standing at 3-0 and having just emerged victoriously from tough encounters, they may seem almost unbeatable on paper. But there’s always a degree of weakness nearby, which Georgia will be more than happy to target. For his part, Paul Finebaum is particularly adamant saying that “the real problem is that this loss will be a shock to the system,” a statement that is indeed passing a signal to the players as well as the fans. As they march out onto the field, they have to know that while winning is a tradition, it has become an expectation.

Paul Finebaum showcases to the viewers what some fans believe about their favorite teams. “The Alabama fans still consider the dynasty alive,” he stated, and, to add, they are still holding on to the past. But the reality is different. The idea of Alabama being the powerhouse team that dominates everyone may no longer exist as there is a new sheriff in town, and it may as well be Texas, which is currently ranked at the top of college football. The landscape has evolved, as Finebaum goes on to say, “The fans cannot accept right now that the things have changed; they are still in charge of college football.”

This makes DeBoer have a lot on his neck, especially in his first outing against Kirby Smart’s boys as Bama HC. There is good tension, and his performance in handling the team without Nick Saban will define his administration. “It is massive, some of it is because of the perception,” Finebaum said, further adding about DeBoer and the importance of this game for the Alabama team. The stakes couldn’t be higher: a win makes Kalen DeBoer strong, and a loss brings confusion on the future.

The showdown: Alabama vs. Georgia – a game of perception and reality

Scratching our heads on what’s at stake as Alabama prepares for this momentous battle? The upcoming game ain’t just any other match-up; no, it’s a statement. The Tide is facing off against a top contender, and a win here would reinforce their status. For anyone who doubts the value of Nick Saban, and many did last year before he was chased away to CBS, the difference is stark. Kalen DeBoer has to contend with expectations and deliver when the lights shine bright, and they never go off.

Alabama has accumulated some monstrous figures in early games in the tournament. They have defeated some teams such as Western Kentucky and South Florida, and Milroe has been proving that he is a star in both throwing and running. And, in their last game against Wisconsin, they had it going for them and managed a convincing away victory by 42-10. The dual threat of Milroe has been evident so far. Against the Badgers, he managed 271 yards (196 passing and 75 rushing). His 5 TDs include both passing and rushing touchdowns. However, can he do it against the Georgia defense?

Georgia, on the other hand, proved their metal in their first two games. Convincing wins, no. 1 rank, everything seemed so pleasant and familiar. And then they struggled against Kentucky. The 13-12 victory was as unconvincing as one can be. The offense never got going, and if not for the defense, Kirby Smart would have had a lot to answer for. But hey! It’s still early. It was a win, and all that matters is that you keep winning. To top it off, Smart would have a lot of areas to take to the practice field.

After a bye week, the Bulldogs would be eager to find some weaknesses in Alabama’s game, and they perfectly understand that they can be the ‘dawgs’ of SEC. What better way to show that than defeating Alabama in the Bryant-Denny Stadium where Nick Saban recently had a field named after him.