SEC insider Paul Finebaum gives props to Kalen DeBoer despite having "worst 6 months" of his life post Nick Saban era

College football insider Paul Finebaum shared his feelings on the future of the Alabama Crimson Tide heading into the 2024 season. Alabama will have Kalen DeBoer as their new head coach, replacing Nick Saban, who retired.

DeBoer has big shoes to fill, and many thought he would have a hard time replacing Saban and keeping recruits. However, he has done a great job keeping Alabama competitive, and although Finebaum is sad that Saban isn't a coach, he is impressed with what DeBoer has done.

"This is self-serving, since January 10, this has been the worst six months of my life without Nick Saban. I wanted to get that off my chest as we begin the college football season. Kalen DeBoer has done a spectacular job succeeding the GOAT. For a day or two, it was iffy, and then he put a great staff together," Finebaum said on ESPN.

"In some ways, his offensive coordinator is better than what it was last year, which wasn't very good, and you can ask Nick about that later. In terms of recruiting, he has been elite, Nick Saban-like recruiting. He's in control of this program and I think Alabama is very well primed to go back to the playoffs."

With how well Alabama has done recruiting and landing talent in the transfer portal, Finebaum has confidence in the Crimson Tide to have success.

Is Alabama projected to make the playoffs? Kalen DeBoer confident on beating the odds

The Alabama Crimson Tide are not expected to make the playoffs, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.

The oddsmakers have Alabama at -130 to miss the playoffs, which implies a 56.5% chance of not making the postseason. The Crimson Tide have a rather tough schedule in 2024, as Alabama has games against Georgia, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Missouri, LSU, Oklahoma and Auburn.

However, DeBoer has confidence he will lead the Crimson Tide to the playoffs and national championships.

“This program has that expectation of being championship caliber and being involved in the playoff every single year,” DeBoer said. “And so, easier said than done, especially here with a schedule like we have this year, but that’s the expectation.”

Alabama will open its 2024 season at home on August 31 against Western Kentucky.