By: Jaron Norris
TUSCALOOSA, Ala.– An informal survey of 237 University of Alabama students and faculty around campus was conducted to set expectations for Kalen DeBoer and the football team ahead of the season opener against East Carolina on Saturday.
Respondents were asked various questions about how they expected the season to go. These ranged from record predictions and SEC title hopes to how far the Crimson Tide would advance.
A 10-2 record was the most popular prediction, with 52.3% of respondents believing that would be Alabama’s record. This was followed by 16% expecting a 9-3 record and 13.9% predicting 11-1.
“I think we’ll start out on a roll and go 5-0. Then, with LSU, Tennessee, Auburn, and Georgia midway through or later into our schedule, I do think we’ll lose 2/4 of those games. To me, LSU and Georgia or Tennessee and Georgia will be our two losses,” explained a respondent.
Alabama has won 30 SEC titles in its history and even made the title game last year, though they were unsuccessful. Respondents have shown true belief in the team returning to the title game, as 212 respondents predicted they will make the SEC championship. Of total respondents, 46.4% believe that the Tide will win that game.
Respondents also seem to have high expectations for where the football team will end its season. Of those surveyed, 34.6% said that they will advance to the College Football Playoff Semifinals. Another 19.4% predicted they will reach and lose the College Football Playoff National Championship Game. And 18.1% of respondents believe Alabama will reach the top of the mountain and win the College Football Playoff National Championship. Respondents have explained what about Alabama’s personnel makes this a possibility: “I think Keelon Russell’s dual-threat ability will open up our run game, which we struggled to have last year. I think the O-line, even after losing some pieces, will be similar to last year, if not better. I believe the defense is improved too, and we’ll be able to control more tempo in games.”
The respondents stated their belief in both DeBoer as head coach and Russell as starting quarterback. They were asked to rate their belief in both on a scale of 1 to 10, and DeBoer averaged a 6.87 rating. Russell averaged a 7.70.
Respondents showed both optimism about Russell’s skill set and the promise he brings, but also acknowledged the need to rally behind him.
“Potential ceiling is through the roof; just need to see how he adjusts to being the main guy. Which is something I have a lot of faith in him to do well,” a respondent said.
“I think he has the experience he needs and can successfully lead our team to victory. He’s a young college athlete who is in big shoes; we need to have our trust in him and support to help him believe in himself. I believe anyone can be successful with a lot of support and belief,” another respondent said.
DeBoer’s score trailed Russell by 0.83 points even though he’s entering his third season as the head coach and Russell is entering his first career start on Saturday. While there is confidence, respondents voiced their concerns about his coaching style. A respondent said, “I’m used to seeing the intensity we’ve seen out of Nick Saban my whole life. Seeing a head coach who is very calm-natured on the field–especially when our players are being treated unfairly or our players are being undisciplined–is hard to see. However, I understand that it may not always be a bad thing.”
Although there are worries, this informal survey proves clear optimism and belief in Tuscaloosa for how far the Tide could go in the 2026 season. All that is left now is to wait for the results of Saturday’s game against East Carolina when the season kicks off.