Kalen DeBoer Sounds the Alarm: Is Alabama's SEC Supremacy Under Threat?

Alabama has been the gold standard of college football for years piling up national championships, SEC titles and All-Americans. But for the team to remain atop their perch, it must address some alarming trends. First-year head coach Kalen DeBoer notes that the team is on the wrong side of that fine line between winning and losing. Mistakes penalties and failed execution are proving to be the teams kryptonite.

The elephant in the room is how those issues put Alabama in tough situations that could have been avoided with some discipline. Not exactly physical discipline but more emotional discipline that will shape the future of college football. As DeBoer has come to realize wins wont just magically happen.

That sense of urgency may seep into this weekends matchup against Mizzou in which Alabama will attempt to solidify their standing in the vaunted SEC. The reality that even the storied Crimson Tide programs have their off days seems hard to digest. As for the rest of the Crimson Tide faithful who will be closely watching with bated breath they should be prepared for a potentially topsy-turvy season for DeBoer and Co.

What happened against the Arkansas was a rude awakening a testament to how quickly momentum shifts on the football field. Should they continue on their current trajectory it wouldnt come as a shock to witness an unlikely upset soon. And then all of a sudden Alabama is not at the top of the SEC mountain anymore but stumbling down the rankings list.

The head coach can often be a great barometer for how that specific season will play out. While some would argue that first-year coaches might not be able to instantly put their mark on an established program DeBoer is trying his part to bring some toughness discipline and hard work that were staple qualities built into Alabama before he took over.

DeBoer does recognize though that emotional discipline is a big contributing factor and certainly needs more of that this season. Penalties need to go down. Players have to understand what that standard is for Alabama. That standard that Alabama needs to start representing once more around the nation if they wish to secure a solid place in this years competitive SEC.