3 teams that could beat Kalen DeBoer's Alabama in 2024 CFB season
One thing Alabama doesn't do much is lose. The last time the Crimson Tide lost even three games in a season was in 2010. But with legendary coach Nick Saban retired and the SEC now beefed up, it won't be easy in 2024 for the Tide. Yes, Alabama is still one of the top teams in the nation. But they're certainly not invincible.
Here are three opponents that could trip up the Tide next season.
3 teams that could beat Alabama in 2024
#1. Georgia (Sept. 28)
Kirby Smart's team didn't win two national titles in the last three years without some impressive skill. While Alabama is 8-1 in the last nine games with Georgia, the one loss was the one that hurt – the 2021 CFP title game.
Georgia has the type of fierce defense that can keep Alabama off balance. It'll be just the fourth game in Kalen DeBoer's new system, so if the Tide can be knocked askew early, they may struggle to get back on pace. Meanwhile, Carson Beck is one of the nation's top QBs. The game is played at Alabama, but multiple points favor the Bulldogs.
#2. At Tennessee (Oct. 19)
Alabama owned this series for years, winning 15 games in a row. But in 2022, Tennessee held off the Tide in Knoxville in a 52-49 thriller. In a nutshell, that's Josh Heupel's Tennessee team. They're capable of scoring 52 points on just about anybody.
Freshman QB Nico Iamaleava will be handed the reigns this fall for the Vols, which could make life interesting. But an otherwise experienced UT team should give Iamaleava time to grow and mature.
Defensively, Tennessee has shown steady improvement since giving up 49 points to Alabama two years ago. Under Josh Heupel UT has gone from allowing 29 to 22 to 20 points per game. Likewise, they allowed just 335 yards per game, a significant drop from 422 yards per game in Heupel's first year at UT, in 2021.
A road challenge for Alabama here will be the first tough road game of the year (Wisconsin and Vandy are prior road foes). Tennessee could certainly give Alabama a world of trouble in 2024.
#3. At LSU (Nov. 9)
Alabama's last regular-season SEC loss came at LSU. That 32-31 overtime defeat in 2022 launched Brian Kelly's team and kept Alabama out of the SEC championship game. The matchup is always competitive, as LSU is 2-3 against the Tide in the last five games they've played.
The 2024 LSU Tigers team has a bevy of outstanding athletes. Like any Brian Kelly team, it will put pressure on the perimeter defenders. It's LSU's defense that is the question mark. But Missouri coordinator Blake Baker might jump-start the Tiger attack and make this game even more competitive. LSU could certainly be a problem for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama.
Which teams do you think can best Alabama (if any) next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.