It’s hard to believe, but not that long ago, Alabama football was painfully mediocre.
In five seasons from 2003 to 2007, the Crimson Tide managed seven wins or fewer four times.
But on Sept. 27, 2008, Alabama traveled to Georgia for a game that would signal an impending dynasty that eventually dominated college football.
On that day 17 years ago, No. 8 Alabama traveled to face No. 3 Georgia in a highly anticipated clash of national championship contenders.
Alabama jumped out to a 31-0 lead and cruised to a 41-30 victory. Though Alabama did not win the national title — Florida beat Oklahoma that year — it was obvious Alabama had returned among the nation’s elite.
This Saturday — 17 years to the day — Alabama returns to Athens for a game that could signal the Tide’s recede from elite status.
Under coach Nick Saban, Alabama won six national titles from 2009 to 2020.
But Saban retired and was replaced by Kalen DeBoer last season. Alabama finished 9-3 — its first failure to post a double-digit victory total since 2007.
Then Alabama (2-1) opened this season with a shocking 31-17 loss to Florida State. Though victories over Louisiana Monroe and Wisconsin followed, there are significant questions about whether this is an ebb Tide.
Alabama is just 13th in the SEC in rushing offense. The Tide is 12th in rushing defense. They are averaging almost seven penalties. The Tide has looked slow. Sometimes even disinterested.
DeBoer insisted that’s not the case.
“I know there’s a high want-to factor this group has,” he said earlier this week. “They’ve shown it in the work. They’ve shown it in their preparation. That’s the key. Really just prepare, invest and do everything you can to be confident and do something special together.
“Just ask these guys to empty the tank every single day, and they’ve done that. That’s what we’ve got to do on Saturday. We’re going to have to be resilient.”
Georgia has a 33-game winning streak on its home field. Only three of those wins were decided by less than 10 points.
Georgia is also well rested. The Bulldogs are coming off an open week after defeating Tennessee 44-41 on Sept. 13.
But Alabama has won nine of the last 10 vs. Georgia, including 41-34 last season.
Alabama isn’t taking any chances, though. DeBoer has indicated he’ll wear a black hoodie on the sidelines. The Tide is reportedly 10-2 when DeBoer dons the hoodie. Alabama is 1-3 when he wears something else.
“We’re wearing white," DeBoer said. “I definitely won’t be wearing white. I’ll wear a contrasting color. Not to leave the suspense. But more than likely, with it being a night game and everything, yeah, it will probably be that. I’m not trying to be suspenseful here.”
Alabama needs a win, not suspense. Six of its next seven opponents are ranked in the nation’s top 20.
A win at Georgia signals the Tide is still a bona fide championship contender. A loss could put Alabama at risk of enduring three, four or more defeats.
That would be painfully mediocre.
Around the SEC
This week’s games: Auburn at No. 9 Texas A&M; No. 22 Notre Dame at Arkansas; Utah State at No. 18 Vanderbilt; No. 4 LSU at No. 13 Ole Miss; No. 15 Tennessee at Mississippi State; No. 17 Alabama at No. 5 Georgia; Massachusetts at No. 20 Missouri; Kentucky at South Carolina
Who’s hot: Perhaps you’ve heard that Texas A&M receiver Mario Craver previously led the nation with 443 receiving yards in three games (he’s not ranked third). However, no other receiver in the nation has more than 275 yards in three games. Craver has exceeded 100 receiving yards in every game. He most recently had 207 yards on seven catches and a touchdown in a victory over Notre Dame. Craver averages 22.1 yards on 20 catches. That’s the highest average in the nation for receivers with at least nine catches.
Who’s not: The Kentucky passing game is abysmal. Kentucky has passed for just 512 yards in three games. Wildcats quarterbacks are completing 49.4 percent of passing attempts (38 of 77) and have managed just two touchdowns (both vs. Eastern Michigan). The only Power Four team with fewer touchdown passes is Oklahoma State (1), which just fired its coach. Kentucky quarterback Zach Calzada, the former A&M starter, is banged up and may not play this week. Redshirt freshman Cutter Boley figures to start against South Carolina on Saturday.
Keep an eye on: Mississippi State quarterback Blake Shapen is quietly off to a strong start. He has passed for 884 yards and seven touchdowns. He threw for 279 yards and three scores in a 24-20 upset of Arizona State. With Shapen leading the way, Mississippi State is 4-0 and has already doubled its win total from last season. However, Arizona State is the only opponent of significance that the Bulldogs have faced, and there are questions about just how good Arizona State is. This weekend, Mississippi State will face its toughest challenge at home against No. 15 Tennessee (3-1). The Bulldogs are a 7.5-point underdog. Any chance for an upset is highly dependent on Shapen, but it’s not out of the question. Tennessee’s secondary has been vulnerable. The Volunteers are ranked 16th (last) in the SEC in pass defense. In the previous two games, Tennessee allowed 304 passing yards to Georgia and 371 to UAB. Both opponents had two touchdown passes. Mississippi State receivers Brenen Thompson and Anthony Evans III figure to have opportunities to make big plays. If Shapen is sharp, an upset in Starkville is a distinct possibility.
The pressure is on: Arkansas is 14th in the SEC in run defense. In the last two games — both losses — the Razorbacks allowed 481 yards and 41 points to Ole Miss and 493 yards and 32 points to Memphis. Further, the Hogs are consistently victimized by big plays. Arkansas has surrendered an SEC-high 58 plays that have covered 10 yards or more. Of those, 16 have resulted in gains of at least 20 yards. Even the Razorbacks’ high-scoring offense cannot compensate for the porous defense. Complicating matters, the next three opponents (Notre Dame, Tennessee and Texas A&M) are among the nation’s top 26 in scoring offense. Coach Sam Pittman’s job is in serious jeopardy. A loss to Notre Dame may be the final straw that leads to a coaching change in Fayetteville. Bobby Petrino is waiting.
Best matchup: The Ole Miss offense vs. LSU’s defense is a classic duel. Ole Miss is fourth in the SEC in total offense. LSU is fourth in total defense. Ole Miss averages 44.8 points. LSU allows an average of 9.3. LSU’s defense is talented, aggressive and fast. Ole Miss, as usual, has been putting up monster numbers against less-than-great opposition — even with a backup quarterback. Whether it has been Austin Simmons or backup Trinidad Chambliss, a transfer from Division II power Ferris State (Mich.), at the controls, Ole Miss is steamrolling defenses.
