As Alabama football prepares to face Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl, head coach Kalen DeBoer addressed concerns about players potentially opting out.
The Crimson Tide barely missed the College Football Playoff this year, a rarity for a program accustomed to competing at the highest level.
Instead, they’ll aim to close their season on a (relative) high note on December 31 in Tampa, Florida.
In an interview with BamaOnLine, DeBoer sounded optimistic about his roster’s commitment to the bowl game, despite the disappointment of missing the CFP.
“I feel like right now we’re in a place where most of those guys are planning on playing. I don’t care what round they’re planning on going in (the NFL draft),” he said.
Alabama’s exclusion from the playoff came as a surprise to some.
The Tide boasted three top-25 victories, including a marquee win over then-No. 2 Georgia. Meanwhile, No. 10 SMU, a program with a weaker resume on paper, secured the final at-large spot.
SMU’s selection highlighted the playoff committee’s emphasis on conference championships and records over strength of schedule – a reality that Alabama Athletic Director Greg Byrne has acknowledged might influence the team’s future nonconference scheduling.
The sting of being left out is compounded by the Crimson Tide’s own shortcomings this season. Unexpected losses to Vanderbilt and Oklahoma, the latter by a staggering 21 points, ultimately derailed Alabama’s playoff hopes despite their strong finish.
For DeBoer, who is in his first year leading the program, the ReliaQuest Bowl represents more than just an exhibition game. It’s an opportunity to set the tone for the future of the program.
DeBoer hopes to reinforce the Tide’s elite reputation, and maintain momentum with one of the nation’s top recruiting classes coming in.
Ending the season with a win over Michigan would also help preserve Alabama’s streak of consecutive 10-win seasons, a tradition dating back to 2008.
Failing to achieve that milestone would mark a notable blemish on the Crimson Tide’s storied history.
The disappointment of 2024 may serve as a rallying cry for DeBoer and his team moving forward.
Again, there’s no sugarcoating or downplaying just how big of a disaster this season has been in Tuscaloosa. However, DeBoer is trying to control what he can control.
For now, the focus is on the Wolverines and ensuring that this season ends on a positive note.
But do you believe DeBoer when he says he expects the vast majority of the players to play in the bowl game against Michigan?
Where do you stand on the ongoing issue of mass bowl opt-outs for non-playoff teams???
