Kalen DeBoer: Alabama players locked in to finish strong despite loss vs. Oklahoma

Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama team fell in demoralizing fashion against Oklahoma, and their dreams of making it to the College Football Playoff may have been dashed.

The Sooners shocked the world, scoring 24-unanswered point to sent the Crimson Tide back to Tuscaloosa with their third loss of the season. Afterwards, DeBoer was pressed on how he’ll try to get his team to bounce back and finish the year strong, even if they might not have a shot at the national title.

“I mean, that’s the commitment we make to each other, when we first — when we come in here,” DeBoer stated, regarding his players staying locked in for Week 14. “You know, we you sign up to play for Alabama, you make that commitment to each other, and the brotherhood. There’s nothing in that room right now that say that there’s anyone saying it’s someone else that needs to be better. It’s win and lose as a team. You know, we made that commitment also, not just for each other, but we’re going to finish, and we’re going to finish everything we do, and that’s a big game next week.

“So, we’ve got to regroup. Stick together. The right things are said in there by the guys, as much as they’re hurting, and you know, just keep playing, have pride in who we are and finish the job.”

Alabama looked like the Crimson Tide of old earlier this season, after they defeated Georgia in an intense battle, but they’ve been uneven ever since. With losses to Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Oklahoma on their resume, they may not get the benefit of the doubt they’ve received in the past from the College Football Playoff Selection Committee.

Regardless, Kalen DeBoer recognizes he has to have his team ready to return home for the Iron Bowl in Week 14. While he wasn’t leading the program yet, Auburn is looking for revenge after 2023’s iteration of the game came down to the wire, and the Tigers are extremely motivated to deliver a fourth loss to the Crimson Tide.