The Alabama Crimson Tide are gearing up for Kalen DeBoer’s third season at the helm, with high expectations to maintain their status as a powerhouse in college football. However, recent comments from an anonymous Big Ten coach have raised eyebrows regarding the team's physical identity under DeBoer.
In a preseason survey conducted by Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, coaches were asked which highly regarded teams might be overhyped as they enter the 2026 season. The unnamed running backs coach pointed directly at Alabama, currently ranked No. 13, expressing concerns about the team's toughness. "Alabama. It looks like they’re morphing into a Pac-12 team. I like (Kalen) DeBoer a lot, but I think there’s a softness to how they play. The way they got beat by Indiana last year was like, ‘Whoa!’" the coach remarked.
This critique is particularly striking given Alabama's historical reputation for dominating opponents physically, a legacy built under former head coach Nick Saban. The comparison to a Pac-12 team suggests a shift in style that some believe has occurred since DeBoer took over the program.
DeBoer, who previously led the University of Washington to a conference championship and a berth in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game during the 2023 season, has had success since stepping into the role at Alabama. The university extended his contract through January 2033 after he posted a 20-8 record over his first two seasons. In 2025, the Crimson Tide finished with an 11-4 record, reached the SEC Championship Game, and secured a playoff victory against Oklahoma.
Despite these accomplishments, the manner in which last season concluded has fueled skepticism about Alabama's physicality. In the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2026, the Crimson Tide suffered a staggering defeat to the top-ranked Indiana Hoosiers, losing 38-3. In that game, Alabama was outgained 407-193, with a dismal rushing performance that saw them accumulate just 23 yards on the ground.
Alabama's running game faced criticism throughout the previous season, averaging only 123.8 rushing yards per game, ranking 13th in the SEC and 106th nationally. This stark decline in rushing production marks a significant departure from the powerful ground attacks that characterized the program during Saban's tenure.
Despite the doubts surrounding the team's toughness, DeBoer has provided Alabama supporters with reasons to remain optimistic. His first two seasons included eight victories against teams ranked in the AP Top 25, an appearance in the SEC Championship Game, and a playoff win. As the Crimson Tide prepare for the 2026 season, they will have the opportunity to address the criticisms regarding their physicality.
The upcoming season kicks off on September 5, 2026, against East Carolina, followed by a challenging schedule that includes games against Kentucky and Florida State, along with SEC matchups against formidable opponents like Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M, LSU, and Auburn. The question of whether Alabama has indeed become "soft" remains subjective, but the stark contrast between their past dominance and the recent critique highlights the pressure on DeBoer and the team to reclaim their physical identity.
For Alabama, being likened to a Pac-12 team due to perceived deficiencies in toughness is a significant concern, as it strays far from the standards set by previous generations of Crimson Tide football.
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