As the 2024 college football season approaches, Alabama fans anxiously await the start of their new era of football. The golden days of Nick Saban are now in the rearview mirror, and they will be hoping that Kalen DeBoer can pick up the mantle and produce another perennial powerhouse.
The role of Alabama head coach is a coveted prize for any coach, but Nick Saban leaves behind very big shoes to fill. Expectations will be high, and the fans will only be so forgiving. Their last national championship was in 2020, a long time for Alabama fans. DeBoer hopes to put his side in contention immediately to keep the fans onside.
With a big season ahead, this article will rank the Crimson Tide’s toughest opponents in 2024 and analyze each in detail.
Section 1: Methodology
The opponents identified as Alabama’s fiercest foes have been selected considering several factors. These include the overall team strength, key players on the roster, off-season maneuvers, and past matchup performances. Considering all this, we have ranked these seven opponents from 1 to 7, starting with the most challenging at 1.
Section 2: Ranking the Opponents
1. Georgia (toughest opponent)
The Georgia Bulldogs have been a formidable force under Kirby Smart, winning two national championships in 2021 and 2022. They narrowly missed out on the College Football Playoffs last year, but with Carson Beck ready to take another step forward, they will be one of the teams to beat again.
Key Players:
● Carson Beck (QB): A prototypical quarterback operating with supreme efficiency and showing all the right things to suggest a top draft selection is coming in 2025.
● Raylen Wilson (LB): SEC All-Freshman in 2023 and a very exciting prospect at the heart of the defense with serious speed.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Georgia has one of the most talented rosters in the conference, allowing them to control both sides of the ball. It is hard to find a weakness on this roster, but the departure of both Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey will make life harder for Carson Beck.
Historical Context: Alabama boasts an 8-2 record over Georgia, dating back to 2007. Their 27-24 victory in 2023 earned them a surprise appearance in the college football playoffs, relegating Georgia to the 5th seed.
2. LSU
LSU is fresh off an explosive year in 2023, but the departure of Jayden Daniels, Malik Nabers, and Brian Thomas Jr., amongst other big names, raises several question marks over their outlook for 2024. Can Garrett Nussmeier hit the ground running and maintain LSU’s status as a top team in the SEC?
Key Players:
● Will Campbell (OT): A 6 foot 6, 325-pound offensive tackle currently the best in the college game.
● Harold Perkins (LB): A high-energy force off the edge, which is also excellent when asked to drop into coverage
Strengths and Weaknesses: LSU’s dynamic 2023 offense has departed to the NFL, but they still benefit from the best tackle duo in the college game and one of the best offensive lines in the nation. The high-scoring nature of last year was mostly because of Jayden Daniels’ offense but also because of a weak secondary, and it looks like the same issues may plague them on defense again this year.
Historical Context: Alabama has only lost to LSU twice since 2012, but the two teams have each won once in the last two seasons. With both teams undergoing personnel changes in 2024, who will get the first bragging rights?
3. Tennessee
Tennessee has continued to show improvement under Josh Heupel and will be looking to continue their progress after a Citrus Bowl victory in 2023.
Key Players:
● Nico Iamaleava (QB): Shined in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl in his first start as a freshman last year, throwing one touchdown and rushing for three more, earning MVP honors.
● James Pearce Jr. (EDGE): Became a force off the edge in 2023 with a 21.3% pressure rate. He is a physical freak and in line for the number one pick in next year’s draft.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Tennessee’s high-scoring offense is their biggest asset, but there will be concerns about the defensive unit, which saw many key players head to the NFL.
Historical Context: Tennessee managed to snatch a win against Alabama in 2022, but other than that, it has been a story of Crimson Tide dominance stretching back to 2007.
4. Missouri
Missouri has stormed to relevancy, registering an 11-2 record in 2023 after going four straight seasons without a winning record. They are in the hunt for even more improvements in 2024.
Key Players:
● Luther Burden III (WR): Undoubtedly one of the biggest names in the college game this year. He is an electrifying playmaker who can be deployed in several different ways.
● Johnny Walker (EDGE): Cotton Bowl MVP in 2023, who doubled his previous best effort with five sacks. It’s time for Walker to become a focal point on the D-line.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Missouri benefits from the fantastic quarterback and wide receiver combination of Brady Cook and Luther Burden, but they will need them to stay hot, given how many big names from the defense have departed for the NFL.
Historical Context: Alabama has only played Missouri 4 times since the turn of the millennium, winning all four.
5. Auburn
Hugh Freeze’s first season in charge produced a third consecutive losing season for Auburn, but there is hope that his second year in charge might finally break the streak.
Key Players:
- Payton Thorne (QB): Transferred to Auburn before the 2023 season after two good years at Michigan State. Took a step back but offers dual-threat ability and will be key to MSU’s success this year.
- Eugene Asante (LB): Led the team with 86 tackles last year while also contributing 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. He is a defensive leader for the Tigers.
Strengths and Weaknesses: The Tigers’ most exciting players are Jarquez Hunter at running back and Cam Coleman at wide receiver, but their success depends on quarterback Payton Thorne’s ability to drive this offense. He needs to show significant signs of improvement if they are to thrive.
Historical Context: The Iron Bowl is always a fiercely contested clash, regardless of team rankings. Jalen Milroe’s remarkable touchdown with just 32 seconds left on the board helped extend the Crimson Tide’s record to 8-2 from the last 20 clashes.
6. Oklahoma
Oklahoma’s entry into the SEC will be exciting to watch, and a new quarterback and offensive coordinator means a wide range of potential outcomes.
Key Players:
● Jackson Arnold (QB): Expected to be the next big Sooner quarterback. He showed glimpses last year and is about to tackle his first full season in charge.
● Danny Stutsman (LB): A key defensive player for the Sooners, registering over 200 tackles in his last two seasons, three sacks, and two forced fumbles in 2023.
Strengths and Weaknesses: Oklahoma’s performance will depend on how quarterback Jackson Arnold takes to life as a starter, but he benefits from a loaded receiving corps to help him out. However, the new and unknown offensive line is a danger to the offense.
Historical Context: Alabama won the last clash against Oklahoma, but they lost the three previous affairs, which took place in 2013, 2003, and 2002.
7. Wisconsin
Wisconsin has plugged away to produce two consecutive 7-6 seasons, but now that Luke Fickell is entering his second season in charge, can they start progressing up the rankings?
Key Players:
- Will Pauling (WR): Led the team with 837 yards and 6 touchdowns in 2023, thriving in his first proper opportunity. More to come this year.
- Hunter Wohler (S): A great leader with all the skills needed to dominate at safety in the college game. Was a Second-team All-Big Ten player in 2023
Strengths and Weaknesses: The strength of the Badgers has often been their run game, which could continue with Chez Mellusi returning from injury in 2024. Will Pauling’s presence as a wide receiver help them be more balanced on offense? One area they may struggle, though, is on the defensive line. Almost half of the Badgers sacks in 2023 occurred in just three games, and several key departures in the transfer portal could make their defensive line a potential weakness.
Historical Context: Alabama and Wisconsin have only faced off once, with the Crimson Tide taking a 35-17 victory in 2015.
Potential Impact on the Season
The teams listed above will garner the most attention from Alabama as they prepare for their 2024 season. Georgia stands out as the primary game to watch out for, and with them coming to Bryant-Denny Stadium in Week 5, it will set the tone for the season ahead. A loss to them would heap lots of extra pressure onto the shoulders of the Crimson Tide as they tackle Missouri, LSU, Oklahoma, and Auburn in four of the last five weeks of the season.
The change in playoff structure will give Alabama more room for maneuver should they suffer an early loss to Georgia, but that closing stretch is pretty brutal, suggesting it will be a nervy finish to the 2024 season for Alabama.
