Last Saturday, Alabama was the victim of one of the greatest upsets in college football history. The Crimson Tide lost to Vanderbilt for the first time since 1984, who tallied its first top-five victory in program history.
After being ranked as the No. 1 team in the country, it felt as if the sky was falling for Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer and his squad. However, with seven games remaining on the schedule, everything the Crimson Tide set out to accomplish before the season is still achievable. But to do that, DeBoer and his program must pick itself off the mat and get back to work.
According to DeBoer, that is exactly what has been going down this week as the team prepares for South Carolina. “The sun came up,” DeBoer said of the day after the loss.
“We went to work. Sunday, we talk about that being a day where we really got down to the truths – win or lose – and we do a good job of always trying to make sure we have the answers.” DeBoer and his staff then turn those answers into preparation in practice for the next opponent, but it’s up to the players to flush the loss and keep pushing. “I can promise you these guys are going back to work and doing everything they can to be the best they can be on Saturday against South Carolina,” DeBoer said.
“The mindset’s in a good spot.” DeBoer might have been his usual calm self during ‘Hey Coach’ on Wednesday night, but even he is adjusting his attitude following the loss.
Alabama fans can only hope this leads to a victory on Saturday as the Crimson Tide welcome South Carolina for an 11 a.m. game to kick off what should be another incredible weekend of college football.
