The Alabama Crimson Tide’s first season under head coach Kalen DeBoer has seen both highs and lows.
While Alabama’s impressive win over Georgia showcased their ability to compete with the best teams in the nation, the Tide have also suffered two inexplicable losses, putting their path to an SEC title and a College Football Playoff berth in jeopardy.
Although Alabama’s championship hopes aren’t entirely dashed, they’ll need favorable outcomes across the board to remain in contention. The program, once a perennial playoff lock, now faces an uphill battle.
Former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron, who led the Crimson Tide to multiple national titles, has been vocal about the current state of the team and the challenges they face in this new era of college football.
During a recent appearance on the “McCready and Siskey” podcast, McCarron didn’t mince words, sharing his thoughts on how the program’s culture has shifted since his time in Tuscaloosa.
“The standard that everybody was used to for so long after Alabama fans went through a bunch of hell leading up to those glorious years, I think it’s definitely a different era,” McCarron said.
“I don’t think you’ll see the same standard from discipline, just things that the team seems to do. It’s a new day and age.
“Everybody’s worried about f*cking TikTok and having a reel and being on highlights for their personal self and personal gain, and how much money they can get from NIL.”
Reflecting on his own time as the Tide’s quarterback, McCarron emphasized the collective mindset of the team, where individual success stemmed from team accomplishments.
“We just didn’t have that sh*t back then,” he continued. “It was a team sport. You came together as a team because you had one common goal, because you knew that’s how you were going to make your money, was by winning.”
This shift in focus is part of a broader transformation happening in college football, where NIL deals and the transfer portal have completely changed the landscape.
Players now have the flexibility to transfer schools with ease, and with a growing focus on personal brands, some may not be the best fit for traditional powerhouses like Alabama, where winning has always been the primary goal.
We all know the point McCarron is trying to make.
Some will chalk it up to an “old man yelling at the clouds,” however, McCarron is certainly not an old man, and his opinion is shared by most coaches and fans.
What are your thoughts on the current mess in Tuscaloosa? … Will DeBoer and the Tide be able to turn their season around before it’s too late???
