TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — In what might have been their last Alabama home game, Jalen Milroe and Tyler Booker wanted extra time to soak in the moment.
Milroe took a lap around Bryant-Denny Stadium following the Crimson Tide’s 28-14 win over Auburn, thanking as many fans as he could for the atmosphere. Booker took it a step further, walking into the stands and singing with the student section as “Rammer Jammer” blared through the speakers.
It continued into an emotional scene in the locker room. Milroe was teary-eyed as he addressed the team. Then Booker gave an impassioned speech in which he couldn’t hold back his tears.
“He just poured his heart, just expressed his heart to the whole team,” Milroe said.
At about the same time, some 1,000 miles away, Syracuse had a celebration of its own after knocking off No. 8 Miami, a result that could help push Alabama back into the College Football Playoff conversation. But at that moment, the Playoff wasn’t on Alabama’s mind.
“I think it was just all about enjoying the win and enjoying the process that we’ve had,” Milroe said. “Yes, this has not been the easiest (season), but just each hardship, each obstacle that we’ve all been on this whole season, we’ve done together.”
Remember these moments! ❤️#RollTide pic.twitter.com/XOWVJsSdRG
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) December 1, 2024
Still, the process and the Playoff are intertwined. Alabama’s hope seemed all but gone a week ago after losing to Oklahoma, but a few upsets and a win over Auburn have it on the doorstep — potentially. But responses to questions about the Playoff postgame were telling and self-aware. Alabama believes it’s a Playoff team. It also knows its fate is out of its hands.
“We just have to sit back and watch,” cornerback Domani Jackson said. “We can’t predict that, we just have to sit back and watch.”
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Kalen DeBoer, on the other hand, gave a firmer answer:
“Everyone’s aware of our schedule,” DeBoer said. “I don’t know the exact stats, but I know we beat four Top 25 teams throughout the year. I don’t know how many, if anyone’s done that. … When you talk about the schedule and what it is week to week, it’s just a grind. Having to come back every week, the only conference that has to do that is ours. That’s what I would say.”
Saturday marked DeBoer’s ninth win in his first season, tied for the most ever by a first-year coach at Alabama. But the losses will stick with him and this team more than the wins, especially if there isn’t a Playoff berth coming. The win over Auburn was a nice finish to the regular season, but what’s left is uncertainty. Who will Alabama’s next opponent be? In what setting? If it’s a bowl outside of the Playoff, who has played their final game already?
Uncertainty could’ve been avoided with more consistent play.
“There’s more (wins) that I wish we would have had,” DeBoer said. “That’s the way I look at it. But from the season standpoint, highs and lows, that’s part of any program. The championship programs go through the same thing each and every year.”
All that’s left for Alabama is reflection. There’s good, bad and everything in between.
It’s a team that played the toughest schedule in the SEC by conference record and has notable wins including Georgia, South Carolina and Missouri. There’s been an equal number of inexplicable losses: Vanderbilt, Oklahoma and a disappointing effort at Tennessee. Even Saturday’s win over Auburn, for as triumphant as it was, had elements of what made this team hard to characterize.
Alabama turned the ball over four times against Auburn, giving it seven in the past two games. Alabama’s first-half drive chart went as follows: fumble, punt, touchdown, interception, touchdown, fumble.
But the defense allowed only six points after those miscues and forced two turnovers of its own. To the offense’s credit, it controlled the game clock by a 14-minute margin with an effective run game. That’s been the 2024 Alabama experience: equal parts dominant, equal parts head-scratching.
Alabama held Auburn to just one touchdown on Saturday. (Jason Clark / Getty Images)
The sum was the desired outcome for Alabama, the third time this year when it won following a loss. Jackson noted that this week felt different in its preparation, though that’s likely due to the opponent. It meant more to do it against rival Auburn for players like Milroe and Booker who’ve likely played the Tigers for the final time — and to senior Malachi Moore, who’s the first Alabama player to go 5-0 against Auburn.
It wasn’t perfect, but it was a bounceback win all the same, and a much-needed win for all parties involved.
“It was all just coming together,” Jackson said. “People assume this is a bad season and whatnot, so we just had to go out there for the seniors and do it for them. And I think we did.”
Everything about this season centers around DeBoer, who was tasked with taking this program and maintaining the standard set by Nick Saban. What’s to be made of year one? In some ways that question leads to an incomplete answer. The season isn’t over, but with no scheduled games left, Saturday night opened the door for players to truly reflect. Milroe, one of this year’s permanent team captains, let off an honest, thoughtful review.
“I’m gonna say this: I love coach DeBoer,” Milroe said. “It’s not easy being a head coach in the SEC, but he’s just shown tremendous leadership, pride and how much he cares about us. I’m gonna be quite honest, man, he’s one of the best coaches I’ve been around.
“Yeah, we lost some games. Yeah, we haven’t played our best game, but I really enjoyed being a quarterback for coach DeBoer. I appreciate him for his leadership, love and how much he pours into me each and every day.”
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What is next for Alabama that’s tangible? The early signing period, starting on Wednesday, where Alabama has the No. 2 class in the 247Sports Composite. It’s the next major milestone for DeBoer, who to this point answered questions about his recruiting acumen. That in part made Saturday’s win a big deal. Had Auburn, which has commitments from eight of the top 10 prospects in-state, won the game, it could’ve sold the idea that the Tigers are on the cusp of flipping the rivalry. That’s been slowed by the fifth straight win by Alabama.
But a few days after prospects are signed, Alabama will learn its postseason fate. There’s not much left for Alabama to say about why it should or shouldn’t be included. At least outwardly, Alabama seems at peace with whatever the committee decides. Given its play this season, there isn’t much of a choice.
“The goal is to go 1-0 no matter who the opponent is,” Milroe said. “ I think we’re excited for what’s ahead and we’ll be prepared for the opportunity whenever it presents itself.”
(Top photo of Jalen Milroe: Jason Clark / Getty Images)
