The legacy of the 2024 Alabama football team is one that will be debated for years, as it lies in a place of ambiguity and nuance. Legacies are hard to define in the short term, especially when the full context remains to be seen. While we know much about the circumstances that greeted the 2024 team and their debut under new head coach Kalen DeBoer, the full implications of this season will only be understood in hindsight. What can be assessed now is an early, incomplete picture of a tumultuous yet fascinating Year 1 for DeBoer in Tuscaloosa.
The Season in Perspective: Success or Setback?
Whether this season was a success or failure is difficult to determine outright, as the year was filled with both promise and disappointment. The highs were electrifying, and the lows were jarring, making it hard to pin down a definitive narrative. DeBoer took over one of the most storied programs in college football, inheriting a torch passed from the legendary Nick Saban. Many wondered if he could sustain the powerhouse tradition or if Alabama would take a significant step back. In moments, it seemed DeBoer was on the verge of silencing his critics and proving he could keep Alabama at the pinnacle of college football. Yet, just as quickly, those flashes of brilliance were undermined by shocking collapses.
The Tide narrowly missed out on the inaugural 12-team playoff, a glaring absence that will inevitably be seen as a failure to some. But to dismiss the year as a total disappointment would be to ignore the complexity of the season. Alabama’s performance was a study in contrasts—there were moments of dominance, resilience, and promise, but also instances of inexplicable defeat and underperformance.
Defining Highs
Two standout victories showcased Alabama’s potential under DeBoer and briefly reignited hope that the transition might not be as disruptive as feared. The first came against No. 2 Georgia, in what was perhaps the defining highlight of the season. Alabama stunned the Bulldogs 41-34 at home as rare underdogs, delivering a performance that captured the imagination of fans and observers alike. The Tide dominated early, jumping out to a 28-0 lead behind a massive television audience and the breakout performance of Ryan Williams. It was a statement game, seemingly a validation of DeBoer’s ability to maintain Alabama’s elite status.
The other marquee win came two weeks later, when Alabama crushed LSU 42-13 in Tiger Stadium. Entering as narrow favorites, the Tide left no doubt, with quarterback Jalen Milroe delivering one of his most commanding performances of the season. These two victories, against premier SEC competition, offered tantalizing glimpses of what Alabama could be under DeBoer.
Crushing Lows
However, the season’s highs were counterbalanced by devastating losses that undermined the team’s playoff hopes and tarnished its overall legacy. While a 24-17 loss to playoff-bound Tennessee could be rationalized, the other defeats were nothing short of baffling.
A shocking 40-35 loss to Vanderbilt, a team Alabama was favored to beat by 23 points, sent shockwaves through the college football world. Though the offense showed some spark, the defensive lapses were glaring. Worse still was a 24-3 drubbing at the hands of Oklahoma, a game in which Alabama failed to score a touchdown for the first time in 13 years. Milroe, who had been electric just two weeks prior against LSU, struggled mightily, throwing three interceptions and managing only seven rushing yards. The Tide’s offensive ineptitude that night was a microcosm of the season’s unpredictability.
The 19-13 loss to Michigan in the ReliaQuest Bowl only added to the disappointment. This game, an opportunity to salvage pride and build momentum for Year 2, instead became a symbol of squandered potential. Alabama’s offense faltered once again, leaving fans and analysts questioning whether this season was merely a transitional hiccup or the beginning of a troubling trend.
The Final Verdict
With a 9-4 record, Alabama’s season can be seen as both a step forward and a step backward. In some programs, such a record would be celebrated; in Tuscaloosa, it raises alarm bells. DeBoer’s first year will likely be remembered as one of missed opportunities. The Tide was positioned to make the playoff with relatively modest challenges in the SEC, yet failed to capitalize, losing games they were heavily favored to win.
Still, some context is necessary. This was the first year of a new era, and growing pains were inevitable. Two or three losses would not have been shocking in preseason projections, but the nature of those losses—especially the blowouts and offensive struggles—will linger in the minds of Alabama faithful.
For DeBoer, the path forward is clear. To restore confidence, he must guide Alabama back to the playoff next season and prove that 2024 was merely a transitional year rather than the start of a decline. Auburn’s resurgence, capped by a fifth straight win over the Tigers, further complicates the challenge.
If DeBoer can quickly reestablish Alabama as a perennial contender, this season may eventually be viewed as a necessary adjustment period. If not, the 2024 campaign could be remembered as the beginning of a new, less dominant chapter in Alabama football history. One thing is certain: in Tuscaloosa, patience is in short supply, and anything less than championship contention will not be tolerated.
