Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer doesn't call USF game a wake-up call despite 'having to learn lessons the hard way'

If you look at the final score but didn't watch the game, you probably think the Alabama Crimson Tide cruised their way to victory on Saturday night in Bryant Denny.

Beating the USF Bulls 42-16, the Tide were firing on all cylinders...in the fourth quarter.

But heading into the last period, the Tide were only up 14-13, despite being over 30 point favorites against the Bulls .

HC Kalen DeBoer knows that's not good enough:

DeBoer says lessons have been learned

"Obviously, going into the fourth quarter, 14-13, and in a fight, DeBoer said following the game. "And so tip the cap to USF for fighting. But also, there are many things that we look at that we got to definitely get cleaned up. We talked down the locker room about learning the lessons about the things that didn't go right, but also understand that if we just keep fighting, good things can happen. And in the fourth quarter, staying away from the penalties and turnovers, it's amazing what can happen. And so defense did a nice job forcing some field goals. Just as we went through the game there in fourth quarter, I think those were key. Us scoring touchdowns and finishing drives, other than the fumble, which was certainly unfortunate — a lot of things we need to clean up. Guys got to do a better job when they make a big play, got tuck it away. All the things we work on, all the things we discuss."

When you're dealing with 18-22-year-olds (or 17 in the case of Ryan Williams), week-to-week volatility is going to happen, especially against teams that are viewed as "inferior" or at least on paper.

Week 1 is always special no matter who the opponent, but when Monday (or in the case of the Tide with Sunday practice) rolls around, the adrenaline dump heading into Week 2 as a 30+ point favorite yet again can lead to some slow starting, which is exactly what happened with the Tide.

And while they will likely be significant favorites yet again next week, their first true test comes as they travel to Camp Randall to take on the Wisconsin Badgers in what will be a new call to action for the next gen Tide.

They hope to get some help from one of their star players as he makes a highly anticipated return after being sidelined for the first two weeks .