Kalen DeBoer reveals how Alabama will deal with long season, 12-team playoff

Kalen DeBoer is used to the playoffs, or longer stretches of it at least. Not only did the Alabama coach get Washington to the national title game last year, he went through brackets at Sioux Falls.

DeBoer won three NAIA titles (2006, ‘08 and ‘09), going undefeated each time. Now that it’s at the Division I level with a 12-team bracket, DeBoer knows it’ll be an adjustment period.

Still, he’s looking forward to going through a long campaign with the Crimson Tide.

“Yeah, I think as far as getting to the playoff, you still have to take the same approach and that you know, there’s no wiggle room, every game matters,” DeBoer said on Get Up. “You know, the key is though that you play your best football at the end of the season and you got to start strong and get that momentum early on. 

“You got to get into the playoff but be playing your best football, be as healthy as you possibly can, and then make that playoff run. Been a part of that many years. Being a small college guy, it’s a special time. I’ve really enjoyed that. It’s a win or go home type of mentality. It’s fun to be a part of and I’m really looking forward to it.”

There’s been a lot of discussion over the 12-team playoff and what it’s going to mean for the regular season. Clemson’s Dabo Swinney had a bit of a different take than DeBoer.

“You’ll probably see some guys if you’re 4-4 and probably out of the playoffs, you’ll probably see some guys head off to Arizona and train,” Swinney said. “You’ll probably see some situations like you see in the NFL. The Ravens are in the playoffs, they got it locked up, right? They got the bye and they got one more game that really means nothing. You play Lamar in that game? 

“Maybe you’re 11-0 and you got that rivalry game. But oh, you play your biggest foe next week in the conference championship. And if you win that game, you’re gonna get a bye. Those are things that are probably decisions you’ll see play out all throughout college football.”

With that said, DeBoer, and most coaches, will just take it one day at a time. The expectations are great for DeBoer and Alabama.

Making the playoff and winning it all is the standard, something the new coach is certainly ready for.