Finebaum: Iron Bowl loss could put Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer's job in play

Alabama's two-game slide has turned into a referendum on Kalen DeBoer, and one of the sport's loudest voices has now named the result that could tip it. ESPN's Paul Finebaum told WBRC's Mike Dubberly on Oct. 19 that if DeBoer loses the Iron Bowl to Auburn, his future at Alabama is open to question, HEAVY reported. Finebaum noted that beating Auburn has been one of DeBoer's strengths.

Nothing in that reporting suggests DeBoer's job is in danger right now. He signed a seven-year, $87.5 million extension this past offseason. Finebaum's point was about the fan base. He said a week earlier that supporters were starting to come around after a competitive loss to Georgia, then watched that goodwill drain away in Knoxville. DeBoer, Finebaum said, "is consistent at one thing, throwing away goodwill." In a separate radio appearance he called DeBoer's standing with fans a dangerous place to be, whatever the contract says.

In Tuscaloosa the mood is just as sour. Yellowhammer News called the 26-10 loss at Tennessee possibly the worst performance of DeBoer's tenure and Alabama's third straight defeat at Neyland Stadium. It said the Tide were outprepared on both sides of the ball and put DeBoer's record away from Bryant-Denny Stadium at 9-8, mostly in games Alabama was favored to win. That outlet also stopped short of calling it a hot seat, but it asked whether the arrangement can work.

The season is not lost. HEAVY cited The Athletic's projection model, which gives Alabama a 56% chance to reach the College Football Playoff and an 8% chance to win the SEC.

What it means for Texas A&M

At 5-2, Alabama has gone in two directions this season. The Tide won their first five games while scoring at least 45 points in each, including a 56-23 win at No. 16 Mississippi State. Then the offense stalled. Alabama managed 17 points in a three-point home loss to No. 2 Georgia and 10 at No. 14 Tennessee. That's 27 points over two games from a team that had averaged nearly 50 a game before.

Texas A&M comes to Bryant-Denny on Saturday, Oct. 24 (ABC). Markets still treat Alabama as a clear favorite despite the slide. Across the 12 venues on this site's board, Alabama is favored by 13.5 points. On Novig the Tide are -113 at that number, and Pinnacle's -109 is the best price anywhere. On the moneyline, Novig has Alabama at -525 and Texas A&M at +488. Polymarket's +510 is the longest price on the Aggies. BetRivers offers A&M at +14.5 for a higher cost of -122. Novig's total is 50.5, and the sportsbooks' hold on the spread runs from 3.8% to 6.7%, so the venues are fairly close together.

A two-touchdown spread assumes the September offense comes back. If the Tide win comfortably, the pressure on DeBoer should ease for a while. If they lose a third straight, the Iron Bowl won't be the only game being talked about.