Alabama is Facing a Lose-Lose Situation Against Kentucky

The Alabama Crimson Tide will play their first SEC matchup this Saturday when they head on the road to face the Kentucky Wildcats in a game that everyone expects them to win.

Alabama is favored, and Kentucky has never exactly been a conference powerhouse. But at the same time, most acknowledge this is a dangerous game for the Crimson Tide.

Why? Because Alabama has gone just 3-3 in road games in which it has been favored under Kalen DeBoer, and the aura of invincibility that used to cloak the Crimson Tide has completely evaporated.

Not only that, but the Wildcats have a new head coach in Will Stein, who had previously served as Oregon's innovative offensive coordinator. They also have quarterback Kenny Minchey and some other intriguing pieces.

Should Alabama emerge from Kroger Field with a victory? Yes. Is it possible that the Crimson Tide get upset? Sure.

The problem? It's really a lose-lose situation for DeBoer and Co.

If Alabama beats Kentucky, no one is going to throw a parade for the Tide, nor should they. These are the types of matchups 'Bama is expected to win convincingly if it wants to be taken seriously as a national championship contender.

But if Alabama loses? You can bet that the "fire DeBoer" army will surface once again, and the Crimson Tide will become the butt of every SEC joke.

Considering just how good Alabama once was, the frustration would be understandable, but you would also think people would be impressed if the Crimson Tide went into Lexington and routed Kentucky by four touchdowns.

But you already know that no one would be truly wowed if Alabama did register a blowout win here in Week 2.

That's why it's a dangerous game for the Crimson Tide, who absolutely cannot afford to lose. Is it a "trap" game? No, because Alabama surely knows what's at stake, and it beat East Carolina in the season opener; not Georgia. And while a revenge game against Florida State is on tap for Week 3, the Seminoles kind of stink.

But none of that makes this Saturday contest against the Wildcats any less perilous given everything that's on the line for the Crimson Tide.

Too bad that the reward for a triumph will be very minimal, if not non-existent.