The temperature in Tuscaloosa is dropping, and it has nothing to do with the weather. As Alabama prepares to face Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff, the stakes for head coach Kalen DeBoer extend well beyond a potential national title run.
According to SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum, a loss to the Sooners could force DeBoer to reconsider his future with the Crimson Tide and potentially open the door to a shock exit for Michigan.
Why Is the Pressure Mounting in Tuscaloosa?
Finebaum didn’t mince words about the intensity that would follow another late-season collapse. He believes a second straight disappointment could make DeBoer’s seat uncomfortable enough to warrant a look at the opening in Ann Arbor.
“Should Alabama lose, I don’t need to tell you what it’s like for Alabama to have consecutive four-loss seasons,” Finebaum said. “I think he would take a deep breath and perhaps look at it, assuming that job is still open. And I would advise him to look at it, because the winter in Alabama after a four-loss season, after two consecutive years, for Kalen DeBoer will be very cold.”
.@finebaum believes if Alabama loses to Oklahoma, Kalen DeBoer should consider the Michigan HC job 👀 pic.twitter.com/XD6BAxoo3v
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) December 12, 2025
While DeBoer’s reputation as an offensive maestro remains intact, his first two years in Tuscaloosa have been anything but smooth. In 2024, Alabama came within reach of the CFP before falling apart late, losing to an underwhelming Oklahoma team and then stumbling again against a struggling Michigan squad in the bowl game.
The 2025 campaign hasn’t provided much relief. The Crimson Tide opened with an ugly loss to Florida State, one that has only looked worse as the season has progressed. They responded with an eight-game winning streak, but the momentum evaporated quickly. Alabama fell to Oklahoma at home, escaped narrowly against Auburn in another tense Iron Bowl, then got dominated 28-7 by Georgia in the SEC Championship.
If Alabama loses once again to Oklahoma in the CFP opening round, it would mark their third straight loss to the Sooners, dating back to last season. It would also be their second defeat to Oklahoma this year, a statistic that won’t sit well in Tuscaloosa.
Could Kalen DeBoer Fix Michigan’s Offensive Struggles?
While Alabama firing DeBoer remains unlikely, the idea of an “escape hatch” to another blue-blood program isn’t far-fetched. Michigan is seeking stability and offensive innovation following the post-Harbaugh reset, and DeBoer’s track record developing quarterbacks is exactly the kind of spark the Wolverines lack.
Despite Alabama’s offensive inconsistency, the Tide still holds an 83.7 offensive impact grade (24th nationally), slightly ahead of Michigan’s 82.6 (27th). Yet the raw numbers don’t tell the full story. Michigan fans have grown frustrated with the lack of development from star freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood, who owns a 78.1 impact grade, ranking just 79th in the nation.
Meanwhile, DeBoer has turned Ty Simpson into one of college football’s most productive passers. After years behind Jalen Milroe, Simpson has thrived under DeBoer, posting an 85.4 PFSN grade, 3,268 passing yards (14th nationally) and 26 touchdowns (12th most). His growth is a testament to DeBoer’s quarterback-friendly system, a system Michigan desperately needs.
What Decision Lies Ahead for DeBoer?
Michigan would welcome DeBoer with open arms, especially as the program looks to rediscover an identity on offense. Since Jim Harbaugh’s departure and JJ McCarthy’s exit, the Wolverines have leaned heavily on the run, but the explosive passing element has been missing.
If Alabama collapses once again on the CFP stage, DeBoer may have a difficult offseason ahead and an even more difficult decision. The Michigan job would offer stability, resources, a massive national platform, and significantly less pressure than what he faces in Tuscaloosa.
And if Finebaum is right, DeBoer may soon have to weigh whether staying at Alabama is worth walking through another “very cold”, noisy offseason.