Kalen DeBoer’s run with Alabama will draw intense national attention after the Crimson Tide awarded him one of the richest contract extensions in college football. Leading Alabama always comes with pressure, but DeBoer could benefit from a few favorable factors heading into the 2026 season.
Paul Finebaum Explains the Hidden Piece Protecting Kalen DeBoer at Alabama in 2026
On Monday’s episode of the “McElroy and Cubelic in The Morning” podcast, SEC analyst Paul Finebaum discussed how DeBoer could benefit from a favorable schedule in 2026.
“I’ll say it again, I’ll be saying this until proven wrong,” Finebaum said (9:15). “I think Alabama got a very manageable schedule, could have been so much worse. I think you have some tricky moments in that schedule and a couple of teams that could be better than we think, which could cause Alabama problems. You know, whether it is Kentucky or South Carolina?
“But I think, getting Tennessee on the road this year, you can’t get Tennessee on the road in a better year than this when that program is really going through somewhat of a transition. Yeah, it’s all fair. They all are hard in the SEC, but theirs does seem like there’s a path they can navigate it somewhat.”
Alabama has a relatively smooth path in September, facing East Carolina, Kentucky, Florida State, South Carolina, and Mississippi State. The Crimson Tide is projected to be a double-digit favorite in each of its first five games of the 2026 season.
From an SEC standpoint, the schedule is viewed as favorable because DeBoer’s team will avoid games against Texas, Oklahoma, and Ole Miss. This is expected to serve as an ideal cushion while Alabama potentially breaks in a new starting quarterback following Ty Simpson’s departure and adjusts a reworked offensive line following last season.
However, it’s also worth mentioning that Alabama’s schedule will become arguably the hardest four-game stretch in the country from Oct. 10 to Nov. 7. Hosting Kirby Smart’s Georgia in Tuscaloosa on Oct. 10 is a huge advantage, but it still stands as the biggest obstacle in the Crimson Tide’s SEC Championship hopes.
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Alabama will then travel to Knoxville to face Tennessee on Oct. 17, before dealing with the physical challenge of Texas A&M on Oct. 24. The challenging stretch will wrap up with a game against Lane Kiffin’s revamped LSU squad on Nov. 7. The closing stretch offers some relief, with games against Vanderbilt, Chattanooga, and Auburn.
Alabama can likely afford two losses and still make the 12-team field if it finishes 10-2, but dropping three games during that difficult midseason run would likely derail those chances. Meanwhile, the priority will be to beat Georgia, as a home win over Smart’s program will provide a huge safety net. PFSN’s College Football Playoff Predictor gives Alabama a 34.3% chance of making the College Football Playoff in 2026.
