ESPN analyst names 'biggest' question facing Alabama in 2024

ESPN published a new piece breaking down the “biggest spring question” facing every top-25 program entering the 2024 season on Wednesday morning.

Alabama, who fell to No. 9 in ESPN’s latest way-too-early top-25 update, has big expectations for 2024 as it enters Year 1 of the Kalen DeBoer era. It should be no surprise that Alabama’s big question is related to how DeBoer will do as Nick Saban’s replacement.

ESPN’s Chris Low asked: Can Kalen DeBoer deal with the pressure of his new job? Here’s Low’s analysis on the subject:

The buy-in process has already started for new Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, who takes on the kind of challenge in replacing Nick Saban that would send a lot of coaches sprinting in the other direction. Spring practice poses the first chance to get the holdovers and some of the newcomers together on the same field with somebody not named Nick Saban running the show. DeBoer has won everywhere he has been and took Washington to the national championship game last season. But every move he makes and everything he says will be intensely scrutinized, especially by his players.

With the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams next season, the Crimson Tide will likely be expected to at least meet that goal for 2024. Entering this season, Alabama has made 7 appearances in the CFP — the most of any program across college football.

The Tide do return star quarterback Jalen Milroe and have already added a couple of potential starters via the transfer portal to help bolster their roster. Alabama could add even more talent to its roster during the spring transfer window later this offseason.

Alabama fans will have their first look at the team on April 13 during the Tide’s annual spring game.