ESPN’s Paul Finebaum sends loud warning to Kalen DeBoer that next Monday ‘could be bloody in Alabama’
The Alabama Crimson tide return to action this weekend against the LSU Tigers.
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum didn’t hold back on Monday while discussing how important Alabama’s game is against LSU this weekend.
The Crimson Tide are set to travel to Baton Rouge for what’s essentially a College Football Playoff elimination game. The loser will have three losses and be on the outside of the playoff bubble, while the winner will remain in control of their own destiny.
Finebaum said during an appearance on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning that the game is a must-win for Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, otherwise things could get “bloody” in Tuscaloosa next week.
“I just think it’s self-explanatory the magnitude of this game,” said Finebaum on Monday. “I mean, even if Brian Kelly was still there (at LSU), it would still have massive importance. But the fact that Lane Kiffin is there, I think for Kalen DeBoer, it’s a must-win. I know that’s pretty obvious to say, but I think to continue some momentum that he had when October began, he’s got to get out of Tiger Stadium (with a win).
“Because I think fans are fickle. I know most of the animus for two weeks has been leveled at (offensive coordinator) Ryan Grubb, and that’s fairly predictable of football fans — when they think they have a good coach, to blame someone other than the good coach. But if Alabama comes out of Tiger Stadium with anything but a win, I think next Monday is going to be bloody in Alabama.”
I don’t know exactly what Finebaum means by bloody — I certainly don’t think DeBoer is in danger of getting fired or anything that dramatic — but there’s no doubt that the noise will get loud if the Crimson Tide don’t beat the Tigers.
And I’m really not sure that’s fair. I know Alabama fans have high expectations — and they should — but the margins are thin in this era of college football. Good coaches and good programs are going to have seasons where they suffer three losses because they were simply on the wrong side of a few plays (Bama’s loss to Georgia could’ve easily been a win if a few things went the Tide’s way…but that wouldn’t change much about who Alabama is as a team this season).
Even if LSU beats Alabama on Saturday, I’d still feel good about DeBoer at Alabama. Quarterback Keelon Russell is still young. If Alabama sticks with him and lets him develop, he could be a dominant player in the SEC in 2027 and 2028. It’s worth sticking with DeBoer through a three-loss or four-loss season (if Alabama loses another game or two) to see that potential through.
