Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer can change his perception against South Carolina.
Since Kalen DeBoer took over as Alabama Crimson Tide head coach heading into 2024, Alabama has been accused of one thing in particular: being too soft.
Known for being a rough-and-tumble team under Nick Saban, Alabama's reputation has taken a big hit the last couple of years, and DeBoer has been at the center of it.
The Crimson Tide were beat up in the ReliaQuest Bowl against Michigan during DeBoer's debut campaign. They were then destroyed by Indiana in the Rose Bowl last January.
Things are supposed to be different for Alabama this year, and while the Crimson Tide have gotten off to a 3-0 start, questions remain.
Alabama will be facing its toughest task yet on Saturday night, as it will host the South Carolina Gamecocks for the third straight year.
The Crimson Tide absolutely should win this game, and they are 12.5-point favorites. However, South Carolina is no joke, and the Gamecocks play a physical brand of football that has typically bothered Alabama the last two seasons.
LaNorris Sellers is a 6-foot-3, 238-pound quarterback who loves to run the football. South Carolina's backfield is loaded with bruisers. Nyck Harbor, the team's No. 1 receiver, stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 239 pounds.
The Crimson Tide are the more talented football team, but if the Gamecocks come in to Tuscaloosa and muck the game up, it can make things challenging for Alabama.
Unless, of course, 'Bama plays some bully ball right back.
Sometimes, the best way to handle a physical opponent is to hit them in the mouth early, and that's exactly what the Crimson Tide need to do here in Week 4.
No, they shouldn't allow South Carolina's style to dictate the pace of the contest, but they should let the Gamecocks know that they're here.
This wouldn't have been a question under Saban. You already know that beating South Carolina at its own game — and embarrassing the Gamecocks in the process — would have been a strict demand.
Under DeBoer, things have been a bit different, and it has resulted in harsh criticism from fans and pundits alike.
But Alabama has an opportunity to fight back against that narrative on Saturday with a tough, resounding win over South Carolina.
This is not a "gimme" game on the schedule. The Gamecocks are not pushovers. So if the Crimson Tide can dominate this matchup from start to finish, it would certainly open up a lot of eyes before Alabama begins a stretch of five straight ranked SEC opponents.
