Greg McElroy: Alabama winning eight or fewer games would be disappointing for Kalen DeBoer's debut

Alabama will be viewed under a microscope for Kalen DeBoer’s inaugural season as Crimson Tide head coach.

According to Vegas, Alabama’s over/under win total for the 2024 season is 9.5. Of course, DeBoer and company will be shooting higher than that, but what happens if the Crimson Tide fail to reach that goal? Former Alabama quarterback, now college football commentator Greg McElroy explained why his alma mater must break the 10-win threshold in year one.

“10-2, I think you’re in the playoffs,” McElroy said on Wednesday. “9-3, you’re on the fringe and anything less than that, I think would be considered a disappointing year for Kalen Deboer.

“… That’s really disappointing. When you look at the schedule — Georgia comes to them. They’re at Tennessee, at Oklahoma, at LSU. Missouri comes to them. There are some difficult games on the schedule. Alabama has played well at home, but it’s really going to come down, I think, in some cases can they win one of the two at home whether it’s Georgia or Mizzou? Can they win two of the three on the road at Tennessee, at Oklahoma, at LSU?”

DeBoer has said in the past that there’s no wiggle room for a learning curve or a slow start. Just because more spots are available in the postseason, DeBoer doesn’t want his Crimson Tide squad to feel like they can take a week off. To DeBoer, he wants to be the highest seed possible.

He already has experience leading Washington to a national championship game appearance last season, so knows what it takes to be one of the top seeds in the CFP. Eight of the 14 wins that the Huskies enjoyed last season were decided by one score or less, meaning his teams grit out tough wins — a trait necessary to succeed during SEC play.

“I think it’s very much within reach and I think ‘Bama can win the SEC this year, no doubt about it,” McElroy continued. “They can make a run in the playoffs as well. They’re just going to have to make sure they solidify the back end defensively. Make sure that front seven defensively [succeed] and the offense doesn’t skip a beat while running the football and creating balance with the passing game.”

The first game of the Kalen DeBoer era kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 31 for a Week 1 matchup against Western Kentucky inside Bryant-Denny Stadium.