Kalen DeBoer challenges Alabama to keep pain of Week 1 loss with them

Burn the tape, as they say. Alabama‘s 31-17 loss to Florida State in the season opener certainly fit that bill.

Instead, Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer is calling for his team to keep that chip on their shoulder this season. He wants to turn that frustration into motivation during Week 3 and beyond.

“We better be keeping the pain of what happened Week 1 internally,” DeBoer said during Hey Coach ahead of Week 2. “And again, I channel the energy channel, whatever level of frustration, being upset, whatever you want to call it. We need channel that into our preparation.

“I think through two days this week, we’ve done a good job of continuing to not let that pain, not let that fade off and understanding that we have a lot to prove. That’s just one game, and it was a game we should win.”

After the disappointment that surrounded Week 1’s loss, Alabama turned in a 73-point shutout against UL Monroe during Week 2. Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson threw a program-record 17 consecutive completions and never threw and incomplete pass during the win. He added three touchdowns along the way. Alabama’s quarterback room had seven total touchdowns during the afternoon.

In total, the Crimson Tide out-gained the Warhawks 583-148 yards offensively. The Alabama defense held their opponents to 55 yards passing amid the shutout. DeBoer is hoping that performance bleeds over into Saturday’s marquee non-conference matchup.

“This week, we’ve got a very good opponent with Wisconsin coming in,” DeBoer continued. “And we’ve got to make sure that the same mindset we had on all week long leading up to Saturday, that it continues for sure.”

Saturday will be DeBoer’s second time coaching against Wisconsin since becoming Alabama head coach. In 2024 during his first season in Tuscaloosa, Wisconsin hosted the Crimson Tide and their fans were sent home after seeing the Badgers lose 42-10. Alabama scored at least one touchdown in all four quarters during that game.

DeBoer and company will hope for a similar outcome to last season’s meeting on Saturday — this time inside Bryant-Denny Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for Noon ET and will air live on ABC.

Alabama is a 20.5-point betting favorite over the Badgers on its home turf, according to BetMGM. The over/under point total is set at 46.5. Once Alabama’s finished there, a Sept. 27 meeting against Georgia in Athens awaits.