Former Alabama HC Nick Saban gives harsh reality check to Kalen DeBoer amid Tide's 5-1 start to season

The Alabama Crimson Tide have had a confusing - albeit solid - start to their first season under Kalen DeBoer. Since their win over the then-No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs, the Tide have looked like a different team in their last two games.

They suffered a historic upset loss versus Vanderbilt the week after their win over Georgia and followed that up by squeaking past South Carolina in Week 7.

Still, the Tide are 5-1 entering Week 8, with a chance to prove the doubters wrong with a win over the No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers. Alabama suffered its first loss to Tennessee in 15 years back in 2022.

During his appearance on The Pat McAfee Show on Friday, former Bama coach Nick Saban was asked how long Alabama fans would give Kalen DeBoer.

Saban responded:

"I can't make any predictions about the future in terms of what people's patience will be," Saban said. "They don't have a lot of patience at Alabama. They have high expectations."

The Tide's national championship hopes could hang in the balance this weekend against Tennessee, as two losses in conference play through Week 8 could spell disaster for Alabama.

Under Nick Saban, Alabama only lost two or more games in conference play four times in 17 seasons, including Saban's 4-4 Southeastern Conference record in his first season as the Tide's head coach.

Kalen DeBoer's Alabama favored entering Week 8 matchup

In a matchup with season-altering implications, DeBoer's Alabama squad enters the week as a three-point favorite on DraftKings despite traveling to Neyland Stadium. In the most highly-contested conference in the country, a win this weekend will bolster either team's College Football Playoff resume.

Kalen DeBoer has shown the ability to prepare his teams for big-game settings, a key trait as Alabama enters the toughest stretch of their season, playing Top 25 teams in each of their next three games. With high expectations surrounding his team and the greatest coach in college football history paying close attention, the pressure is on for DeBoer.

Alabama's three-game stretch in the next month will tell Saban and Crimson Tide fans a lot about their new head coach.