There isn’t much time to celebrate a big win such as the one Alabama football had against Georgia on Saturday. The attention has to shift to the next game, and quickly.
Next up, No. 1 Alabama (4-0, 1-0 SEC) faces Vanderbilt (2-2, 0-1) on Saturday (3:15 p.m. CT, SEC Network) in Nashville.
But even as the Crimson Tide prepares for another opponent, there is something that Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer doesn’t want his players or staff to forget.
“That belief from tonight is something we will certainly be intentional on remembering,” DeBoer said after the Georgia game.
Alabama held a 30-7 lead at halftime against the Bulldogs. Then Georgia marched back and took the lead late off a long touchdown in the final minutes. The Crimson Tide didn’t call it a game, though.
The Alabama players and coaches kept at it, particularly Jalen Milroe, Ryan Williams and Zabien Brown.
Milroe hit Williams for a 75-yard score, then Brown intercepted Carson Beck on the final possession to complete the 41-34 victory.
“We talked about how there’s some last second plays and you’ve got to keep fighting and keep playing,” DeBoer said. “And the game, with our talent, is going to keep coming back to us. Even when it feels like it’s running away from us.”
It’s clear Alabama has the talent to beat anybody in the country. Between Milroe, now a Heisman Trophy favorite, and Williams, a generational talent, Alabama is often going to have the best athletes on the field, if not always.
So the opportunity will always be there. It just might have some bumps, curveballs and twists and turns to get there. But keeping the belief will be vital if Alabama wants to maintain its spot atop college football.
“Guys being ready for when their opportunity comes, we talked a lot about that before fall camp and reminded them before the game,” DeBoer said. “I thought guys were ready when their opportunity came and went and made a play. That’s what we’re going to need.”
Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.
