Kalen DeBoer: Rising Above the Legends of College Football
In a sport where legacies are built on the shoulders of giants, Kalen DeBoer is making his mark. Despite the daunting task of following the legendary Nick Saban, DeBoer has not only held his own but has achieved a remarkable feat that even Saban couldn't match.
Alabama's recent win against Vanderbilt has put them at 4-1, but it's DeBoer's record against ranked opponents that has sports analysts buzzing. Under Saban's entire career, Alabama only lost four games to unranked teams, a standard that DeBoer has already matched in his short time as head coach. But here's where it gets controversial... DeBoer's win percentage against ranked teams is something Saban couldn't achieve.
Sports Analyst Cole Cubelic highlighted DeBoer's impressive record, stating, "Kalen DeBoer is now 13-2 in ranked vs ranked matchups... That is the best win % among coaches with at least 10 such games." DeBoer's winning percentage of .867 against ranked opponents is exceptional, and when we consider his overall record against ranked teams, it's an impressive .842. This includes his time at Fresno State, Washington, and now Alabama.
And this is the part most people miss: DeBoer's two losses in ranked vs ranked matchups were against top teams - No. 1 Michigan and No. 11 Tennessee. These losses only highlight the competitiveness of his teams and the high caliber of opponents he faces.
DeBoer's upcoming schedule includes some tough ranked opponents, and these games will be crucial in determining Alabama's playoff chances. But with his exceptional record, DeBoer has the potential to carve out his own legacy, one that stands apart from the shadow of Saban.
So, what do you think? Is DeBoer on his way to becoming a college football legend in his own right? Or is he still living in the shadow of Saban's success? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
