As Fall Camp reaches its midpoint, Alabama football fans are feeling optimistic, though questions and doubts remain, especially when replacing a legendary figure is involved.
The excitement is high about the synergy between Kalen DeBoer’s offensive scheme and the Crimson Tide’s offensive talent. However, concerns about the new offense mainly focus on Jalen Milroe. DeBoer’s complex system demands more than just explosive plays; it requires a quarterback who consistently makes quick, accurate decisions and effectively utilizes multiple playmakers. Last season, Milroe performed well, ranking fifth among FBS quarterbacks with a QB rating of 172.17 and 24th in completion percentage at 65.8%. To match or exceed this in 2024, Milroe must perform at a higher level, particularly given DeBoer’s success with Michael Penix Jr. at Washington, where Penix had a QB rating of 157.06 and a 65.4% completion rate.
Milroe’s improvement is partly dependent on the Crimson Tide’s challenging schedule, which includes five games against potential CFP contenders. There’s a prevailing belief that Alabama’s transition this season could lead to multiple losses, increasing the pressure on Milroe to elevate his game.
Alternatively, if Kane Wommack’s defense performs better than last season’s, Milroe might not need to make significant strides. Although Alabama’s secondary is still developing, there’s hope for improved defensive performance compared to last year’s average of 19 points allowed per game. Historically, Alabama’s defense under Nick Saban was dominant, frequently ranking among the top in scoring defense. However, in recent years, the defense has been less consistent, with only one Top 10 finish in the last six seasons.
Whether Wommack can rejuvenate the defense remains to be seen. With Alabama potentially fielding one of the deepest defensive rosters in college football, the defense might be significantly better by November. Until then, if the Tide faces high-scoring games against teams like Georgia, Tennessee, and Missouri, Milroe may need to significantly outperform last season’s performance. The silver lining is that reports from summer and fall camp suggest Milroe has made notable progress under DeBoer and Nick Sheridan.
