Kalen DeBoer has stated that he wants to maintain the same standard in Alabama following Nick Saban‘s resignation. Actions will speak louder than words this fall, which probably means the Crimson Tide will want to finish 12-0 or 11-1. Normally, it’s not too hard to imagine a game in Tuscaloosa, but this year’s SEC schedule presents some oddities.
Games against Auburn, Georgia, LSUAnd Tennessee are obvious top players for Alabama. But as Tim Watts of On3’s BOL was asked what game he was circling, Missouri was addressed. Many fans probably expect the home game on October 26th to end in victory, especially because it is the home game.
However, Watts believes some caution is needed.
“I think it’s good that the game is at home,” Watts said in Tuesday’s episode of Andy Staples On3“Because when you go to Tennessee, Missouri is home, and then you go to LSU. A lot can happen there. Missouri is going to have some talented guys who are a competitive bunch.
“I don’t think Missouri is talked about enough overall. I still think Alabama is in a good position to win this game, but I think it’s a game to keep an eye on and watch.”
Missouri is considered a top 15 team of the preseason according to the AP poll released Monday afternoon. Eli Drinkwitz has done a fantastic job building the program over the years, and now the Tigers are considered a College Football Playoff contender and a potential underdog to win the SEC.
Normally, such teams are not on the schedule. Alabama has a few important rivalry games and even an unusual non-conference game against WisconsinMissouri can fall by the wayside at the beginning of August, at least on paper.
Watts also mentioned a trip to Norman on November 23 against Oklahoma as another game he keeps an eye on. To find out the last time Alabama played a conference opponent before the Iron Bowl, you have to go back to 2021. Also, the last road game was the week before the Auburn game in the pre-Saban era in 2006.
Sooner fans will welcome Alabama to their city as it is one of their top games on the schedule. DeBoer will need to make sure his team is disciplined enough to prepare for a tough test before experiencing the rivalry with Auburn for the first time.
