Former Alabama QB Greg McElroy Gives His Take On Crimson Tide's Win Total
It's a new era of Alabama football in 2024, and while we all knew the day would come none of us were ready for it.
Head coach Nick Saban retired following the 2023 season, and is now on a crusade to fix college football and golf. The Tide turned to former Washington coach, Kalen DeBoerm who is one of the best offensive-minded coaches in the sport.
In his first season, he has one of the best quarterbacks in the country at his disposal and some elite playmakers on defense to complement the offense. However, as it is seemingly every year, the SEC is deep and will be a tough conference to get through.
Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy touched on Alabama’s regular season win total of 9.5 on a recent episode of Always College Football.
Alabama QB Greg McElroy
© John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Despite some key losses all over the roster, McElroy is still confident that the tide will exceed that 9.5 mark.
“You look at it, how many games are losable? I mean, 5, perhaps? How many do you really think they’re going to lose?” McElroy said. “Man, I have hard time thinking Alabama is going to lose once, maybe twice, on their home field this year. I just don’t see it. Whether they get Georgia, get Missouri, get Auburn … I just don’t think it’s likely they’re going to lose multiple games on their home field. They might lose one, but I can’t imagine them losing multiple.
“Now, on the road at Tennessee, extremely difficult game. On the road at LSU, very difficult game. And that road trip to Oklahoma right before the Iron Bowl is also very challenging.”
He also compared the Tide to fellow SEC contender, Ole Miss, who he thinks Alabama has a slight advantage over.
“So, right now, based on the win total that is presented to us, between Ole Miss and Alabama, I would lean just ever so slightly in favor of Alabama. But, at the same time, I think Ole Miss is right there. I think both of these teams will ultimately end up in the College Football Playoff.”
Even though DeBoer is in his first year, expectations in Tuscaloosa remain the same; win the SEC and contend for a title. The latter may actually be easier considering the SEC is only that much deeper with Texas and Oklahoma in it, and considering the playoff expanded.
All eyes will be on Bama to see if DeBoer can uphold the standard, or if Saban stepping away will lead to the fall of the giant.
