Alabama's first season under Kalen DeBoer did not go according to plan, as the Crimson Tide narrowly missed the College Football Playoff after going 9–3 in the regular season. Rough losses to Vanderbilt and a .500 Oklahoma team ultimately doomed the Tide, which were left out in favor of 11–2 SMU.

How did Alabama miss the Playoff in DeBoer's first season? How can the Tide respond? And what does that mean for the future?

Fifteen days ago, Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer preached commitment. The Crimson Tide was stunned, having just finished a 24-3 road loss to Oklahoma, a game intended to be a tune-up before an Iron Bowl that decided Alabama's SEC championship fate, a game that had the Crimson Tide as a multiple-touchdown favorite.