By Kyle Golik
It isn’t easy to follow a legend. Many try and many fail, the examples are numerous to mention. When Alabama introduced Kalen DeBoer to replace Nick Saban, there was a lot to like about DeBoer’s resume. There were still question marks. While early reviews were great for DeBoer, it was Saturday’s showdown that was the first true test and measuring stick for Alabama. The start and end of the games revealed the decision to make DeBoer Saban’s successor was straight out of central casting, it was the results Alabama fans are accustomed to and demand, with DeBoer delivering.
One of the biggest takeaways I had was when Alabama took a 28-0 lead against Georgia, this invoked memories of the 2008 Blackout Game. Much like Saturday’s game Alabama jumped to a quick and shocking 31-0 lead.
One of the underlying tones in both games, which may come off as weird to say, Alabama had something major to prove in both games. In 2008, Alabama was a storied program, but they hadn’t won a national championship since 1992 and a SEC Championship since 1999.
The program had been through a slew of coaches varying from those who simply couldn’t deliver in Mike Shula or Mike DuBose. They had a coach in Dennis Franchione, who didn’t want to be in Tuscaloosa – NCAA sanction may have played a part in that, and another who wanted to be there in Mike Price but had a wild weekend in Pensacola that made his time at Alabama very brief.
While DeBoer didn’t have that steep of a hill Saban faced to prove, the slope DeBeor faces still is very slippery. Saban simply was automatic in the biggest of games, won way more than he ever lost, it was almost shocking when Alabama lost a major game. DeBoer needed that first impression to be a win because it solidified his footing as the answer for Alabama.
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For Georgia meanwhile, it raises questions about their starting quarterbacks both being physical marvels in their own right. Matthew Stafford in 2008 had a rough game, 24 for 42 passing 274 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Carson Beck, who many have Heisman aspirations similar to Stafford had a first half to forget with two costly interceptions. While Beck was able to lead a comeback where Georgia had a one-point lead late in the fourth quarter, his numbers were eerily similar to Stafford’s going 27 for 50 passing for 439 yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions – the last one clinching the Alabama win.
Much like 2008, Alabama’s defense thwarted a potent Georgia rushing attack. In 2008, Knowshon Moreno was flirting with SEC immortals with his ability to run the ball. Against Alabama, Moreno and Georgia were held to 17 first-half rushing yards. In the second half Saturday, Georgia’s ground attack only mustered 27 yards on the ground.
Georgia mounted ferocious comebacks in both games, in 2008 Georgia scored 30 second-half points against Alabama. Down 30-7 at halftime, Georgia didn’t roll over at all and like I mentioned took a 34-33 lead, with 2:18 to go in the game.
Much like in 2008, Alabama had a phenom freshman wide receiver who was impactful. In 2008, it was Julio Jones, a figure many feel is the guy who helped turn the Tide at Alabama. Jones finished that 2008 game with five receptions 94 yards and a touchdown. On Saturday, Ryan Williams had the game-winning 75-yard touchdown on the first play of the ensuing possession. DeBoer has his Julio Jones.
As DeBoer survived Saturday’s classic, he was asked if this game silenced the doubters,
“Yeah, that’s some stuff internally that we know if you have a matchup like this there’s going to be people that believe one thing or another. Is this a mismatch, this position against that position. That “Lank” is for the team aspect but it’s also a position group or individual side of the ball. Our guys, I think, do a great job of just having that edge to them that comes along with that mentality. I’m proud of them because they understand that edge but they keep the confidence and they don’t do it in an arrogant way. I appreciate the way they come to work. That’s what you can really see that translates to the opportunities and a win like we had tonight.”
There is no doubting DeBoer from me at the moment, if anything what has been routine and expected to happen at Alabama under Saban looks to continue under DeBoer and that engine shows no signs of slowing down. That might be a scary proposition for the rest of the SEC and the nation.
