Kalen DeBoer leans on preparation after ugly Week 1 loss: ‘The jump has to be there’
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Have you seen this? Have you heard about this? Alabama football lost in Week 1 to Florida State, subverting expectations in a major way as we enter Week 2.
We can beat this dead horse for as long as we like, but it goes without saying that Kalen DeBoer is already focused on fixing the problem. As if he has any other option. On Wednesday night, while speaking on his radio show, ‘Hey Coach,’ DeBoer insisted that the Tide plan to lean on their preparation to make the jump from Week 1 to Week 2.
Specifically, DeBoer mentioned the following: “The jump from Week 1 to Week 2 is always going to be there,” DeBoer said. “It has to be there. … That’s what I see right now on the field. We got to finish the week so that way Saturday, the preparation will lead to great results.”
Now, I’m inclined to believe him – despite the fact that this is coach-speak 101. A lot of the problems Alabama ran into on Saturday were effort related. It sounds cliche, but Florida State just wanted it more. It wasn’t talent, it was a sheer lack of preparation and intensity. The problems, as much as Alabama fans may not want to hear it, are absolutely fixable.
The question is this: Can DeBoer turn words into action and results? The Crimson Tide face off against Louisiana-Monroe in Week 2, a team that was considered to be one of the worst in the Sun Belt heading into this season. The Warhawks did a good job running the football in Week 1, so Alabama’s defensive effort is definitely going to be tested once again – even with the significant gap in speed, size and talent.
Let’s see how DeBoer and Co. respond.
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
