Ramifications of Alabama vs. Tennessee game severe for Kalen DeBoer

Alabama needs to win this Saturday's high-stakes clash against Tennessee. It's not just about redemption from the shocker-of-the-season loss against Vanderbilt or the 25-27 win against South Carolina anymore. This time, it is much more personal for Kalen DeBoer.

On Wednesday evening, DeBoer was shortlisted for the Paul "Bear" Byrant Coach of The Year Award for the 2024 season, along with 6 other SEC coaches including: Texas A&M's Mike Elko, Tennessee's Josh Heupel, LSU's Brian Kelly, Vanderbilt's Clark Lea, Texas's Steve Sarkisian, and Georgia's Kirby Smart.

Among his six opponents, DeBoer has already made a huge, thumping win against Georgia's Smart, proving his worth. However, in the weeks following that win, Bama's erroneous performance against Vanderbilt and the one-that-got-away win against the Gamecocks raised serious questions, instantly making him a hot topic.

Leaving the past behind, if Bama treats the Knoxville game as a fresh challenge, one that they need to win, their likelihood of making it to the payoffs will increase.

Analyst Paul Finebaum confirmed it saying, "If Alabama goes to Knoxville and wins, their percentage of going to the Playoff goes up exponentially and the meltdown this Monday is a blip on the radar," on the McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning show .

Several things would need to go right for DeBoer in order for him to be a frontrunner for the award-- starting with a win over Tennessee. Then, DeBoer would need to also orchestrate wins against upcoming opponents like LSU and Oklahoma while also making it to the playoffs.

Alternatively, if DeBoer loses against Tennessee, his team would go 5-2, thus reducing their chances of making it to the playoffs and minimizing DeBoer's odds for the Paul Bryant Head Coach of The Year Award. All in all, a lot depends on this one against the Vols.

Kalen DeBoer's trophy case

Adding the prestigious accolade of Paul "Bear" Bryant Head Coach of the Year to his resume would solidify his coaching acumen. He already boasts a list of Coach of the Year awards, 16 of them precisely.

Kalen DeBoer won half of them in 2023 as he led the Washington Huskies to the National Championship game. Sporting News Coach of the Year , AP Coach of the Year, and others were awarded to DeBoer for the Championship appearance.

However, if DeBoer wins this award, it would be on his list for the first time. Unlike the others, this award would forever link DeBoer to Bryant, one of the winningest coaches of all time and a legend to the Alabama's football institution. If DeBoer won this award in his first year as the Crimson Tide's head coach, it would be a truly remarkable feat.