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The college football season is less than a month away.
Soon, the race for the College Football Playoff will begin, with programs across the country vying for a spot in the 12-team field.
One of the biggest offseason storylines has centered on the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer has faced the challenge of succeeding one of college footballs greatest dynasties.
While DeBoer arrived with an impressive resume, many were surprised Alabama hired someone without SEC coaching experience to replace Nick Saban.
Still, in just two seasons, DeBoer has guided the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff.
MORE: Paul Finebaum doubts SEC can win CFP title as Big Ten builds stronger case Even so, pressure mounted early last season.
Paul Finebaum joined That SEC Podcast and shared a revealing anecdote.
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen Deboer talks on the sideline Thursday, Jan.
1, 2026, during the Rose Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff against Indiana Hoosiers at Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.
I ran into some fat cat at the hotel really early I didnt know him, but he was a major booster staying at the Capstone Hotel in Tuscaloosa, Finebaum said.
He said, You know, things were pretty grim after the Florida State loss! I said, Really? He said, Yeah.
There were calls being made, this is Day 1 of the season-Sunday morning.
On Sunday morning, calls were being made like, Whats it going to take, if this doesnt turn around for us, to buy DeBoer out? Many people overreacted after Alabamas Week 1 loss to Florida State.
At the time, some questioned whether the Crimson Tide dynasty had officially ended, while others wondered if Mike Norvell had finally turned Florida State into a legitimate national contender.
MORE: 9 best transfers in college football for 2026 Neither narrative proved to be true.
Alabama rebounded to finish the regular season 10-2 and earned a College Football Playoff berth.
Florida State, meanwhile, went 5-7 and missed a bowl game.
In hindsight, the Week 1 result proved to be an outlier.
Nov 29, 2025; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer protests a personal foul call against the Crimson Tide during the game with Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News Still, DeBoer may be feeling the pressure.
Although the Crimson Tide reached the playoff, Alabama has not won a national championship in six seasons.
That kind of title drought is unusual for a program that dominated the sport under Saban, beginning with the 2009 national championship.
Alabama has come close several times since winning its last title, but expectations in Tuscaloosa remain as high as ever.
Its reasonable to expect the pressure from fans will only continue to build.
As for the boosters, Finebaums story does little to ease concerns.
With Alabamas 2027 recruiting outlook facing questions, DeBoer and his staff have a critical 2026 season ahead.
What will DeBoer and the Crimson Tide need to accomplish in 2026 to keep the pressure at bay?.