Alabama is one of the biggest brands in college football, thanks in large part to the legendary tenure of Nick Saban.
The spotlight certainly hasn't dimmed with Kalen DeBoer running the program either. However, Saban feels this year's Crimson Tide team may not receive the same attention as in previous years.
"The one thing about Alabama this year is they're flying under the radar a bit - a little bit unknown," Saban said Wednesday at SEC Media Days, according to Mike Rodak of 247 Sports. "I actually kind of liked that as a coach because when we were picked high, I was always worried about how this is going to affect our offseason, our preparation, the culture you're trying to develop as a team. Maybe coach DeBoer really likes the fact that they're flying under the radar a little.”
When asked about the notion during his press conference in Tampa, DeBoer pointed to Alabama's significant roster turnover as the main reason.
"Yeah, I understand why with a lot of new faces," DeBoer said. "That's okay, you know, because we got to go prove it. We do. We got to go out and get the job done. That's really how I feel every year. It doesn't matter how many guys return. Last year, we returned I think 16 seniors and we had to go prove it. We had to do some things, not just talk it."
He added, "So, until we prove it, we understand there will be doubt because those expectations, as we talked about, are extremely high in the program."
Although Alabama exited last season's College Football Playoff with a whimper in a blowout loss to eventual champion Indiana, Year 2 under DeBoer was an improvement on his debut campaign in Tuscaloosa.
The Tide went 7-1 in conference play and ended the nation's longest active home winning streak (33 games) when they stormed into Athens and took down Georgia. Alabama's inclusion in the CFP proved controversial, but DeBoer's program took care of business in the opening round with a win at Oklahoma.
That result may have cooled DeBoer's seat slightly, but the expectation at Alabama - fair or not - is often national championship or bust. The 51-year-old knows that his time with the Tide will likely be judged on whether he can deliver that title, even though it isn't his sole focus.
"I certainly know that's an important part of what's happened in the program, so (I) wouldn't doubt if that's the case," DeBoer said. "I'm not focused on that. I'm focused on just helping or program be the best and trying to bring out best and raise the level of everyone around me, from coaching staff to our players; trying to maximize what we're capable every single day."
Alabama opens the season at home against East Carolina on Sept. 5.
