Kalen DeBoer‘s real test arrives this weekend against Georgia after a tough season-opening loss against FSU. Sure, Bama has owned the all-time series with a 44-26-4 record, but this time things might turn different. Just before the game, DeBoer loses his explosive weapon, WR Jalen Hale, and even nose tackle Tim Keenan’s availability hangs in the air. If Bama ends up missing this against Georgia, their road to the playoffs is anything but easy.
Misery struck Alabama right before their very crucial game against Georgia, as two of their players are out for this game. Bama’s insider Nick Kelly makes this news out on X: “Alabama WR Jalen Hale is out per the latest availability report. Tim Keenan III [has been] removed from the availability report.” First up is Kelly, who was holding a probable status in the injury report, but now there’s no chance that he will return back on the field. After missing out on the entire 2024 season with a leg injury, Hale came in for ReliaQuest Bowl practice against Michigan.
But despite that, he couldn’t do much on the field. Then he came in for another campaign this season and was ready to make an impact. Even OC Ryan Grubb was pretty excited to see him back. “Jalen’s amazing,” Grubb said. “He’s one of my favorite stories. What he’s been able to come back and do already, even from spring to now. The physical difference in how he looks is just amazing.” At this time, there’s no reason why he’s not in the game. The worst part? He is not the only one missing out on the Georgia game.
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Look, Alabama’s run defense was a major issue against Florida State, but still, Kalen DeBoer and his team were hoping for a turnaround against Georgia. That’s because Tim Keenan III is expected to make his season debut after suffering from an ankle injury in the fall camp. This required a surgical procedure of a tightrope. Now, with that, Keenan was forced to stay out of the first three games of the season. But here’s the kicker: fans might have to wait long for his return. As per the SEC availability report, Keenan is no longer on the list.
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Losing a player like him ahead of such a crucial game is a massive blow for Bama. And why wouldn’t it? Kennan ranked fourth in run-game stops with 18. On top of that, he was second to DL James Smith in average depth tackle at 1.4 yards per tackle. It’s not like Kalen DeBoer doesn’t have players; there are freshmen London Simmons and Isaia Faga, who are in the middle of Bama’s DL, but the problem is that both of them have just combined for just three run-stops so far in the season. And that’s exactly why Keenan’s availability is crucial for this game.
And that’s where the problem lies. Look, Alabama’s run defense ranks 66th in the nation, and against Florida State, they allowed 4.7 yards per carry while they were on top of their game, generating 6 explosive plays on the ground. Now, rushing wasn’t a major issue for Bama against FSU, as Tommy Castellanos had 86 rushing yards with a TD against them. But with Gunner Stockton’s dual-threat ability and impressive run game against Tennessee, this can be a major issue for them.
Now, it will be interesting to see how Alabama performs against Georgia and which team ends up winning it.
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Can Kalen DeBoer’s team win against Georgia?
Alabama’s tough loss against FSU raised so many questions on Kalen DeBoer’s leadership, and the shadow of Nick Saban’s 6 championship wins never leaves him alone. Now, Georgia’s game gives them a chance to erase their season-opening loss to FSU, but it looks like right now odds are also not favoring them. CBS Sports gives Georgia a 52.5% chance to win against Alabama.
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Let’s be real: Kalen DeBoer’s team is nothing but a mess right now. Sure, wins against Louisiana-Monroe and Wisconsin helped, but the issues are glaring. As they rank 103 nationally in rushing yards, scoring just 123.67 yards per game. And against Florida State? They just rushed for 87 yards. So, it’s a do-or-die game for them. Even ESPN analyst Dan Orlovsky adds to the pressure, “I just think going on the road and losing again after being 2-5 on the road and the way that they have looked—and obviously the College Football Playoff, it doesn’t knock them out, but it feels like it does—so I think it’s a big one for Bama.”
It’s pretty clear that if Alabama wants to see a playoff run this season, Georgia is their only chance to show their dominance, or else this might be another year of them missing out on the championship run.