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What Kalen DeBoer said on SEC Nation ahead of Alabama-Tennessee

1918632_10206777287683070_1367905321192383146_nby: Charlie Potter10/18/25Charlie_Potter
Kalen DeBoer
Laura Rutledge and Kalen DeBoer (Courtesy of Alabama Athletics)

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer joined the SEC Nation set on Saturday morning. In front of Wade Hall on the Tuscaloosa campus, DeBoer previewed the Crimson Tide’s top-15 battle with the Tennessee Vols, which is set to kick off later tonight at 6:30 p.m. CT and air live on ABC.

Here is everything DeBoer said about the Third Saturday in October rivalry matchup.

DeBoer on Jam Miller’s status, impact…

“We’re expecting him to go today. And it’s huge, it’s huge. He’s obviously a great football player, but he’s an emotional leader for our football team.”

DeBoer on the turnaround since Week 1…

“Our guys made a decision that there’s a way you can go, right, and it’s either to back up or bow up and fight. And our guys keep punching, and every week continue to improve. I really see it in practice. You see it in games. We still have more to come, and we understand what each week’s about in the SEC. We know today’s going to be a great task, but we’re up for it.”

DeBoer on the team’s mental resiliency…

“It’s just understanding that you have to do a hard reset, literally, right? I mean, we say 24 hours, I know even after this last week’s game, we didn’t have 24 hours. We were barely on the bus heading home, and our guys already mentally, I think we’re into, what do we got to do to get better? What do we got to do this week to improve and go 1-0 again on this Saturday?”

DeBoer on his own evolution…

“I love these guys. I love this program. I love our coaching staff. And everyone’s got to do their job, right? Everyone’s counting on me. Everyone’s counting on the players. The players are counting on each other and the staff, as well. And so, just doing my part to make sure I’m bringing everything I got to our team, understanding the areas that we’re strong in, understanding the areas we can continue to grow and improve in.”

DeBoer on how retaining the roster has paid off this season…

“I think it is huge, especially after Week 1. Again, we kind of challenged the guys, are we really this tight? Do we really want it for each other this much? We’ve said it all along: there’s been so many actions in the offseason that showed it. But now, hey, there’s real adversity, and our response is something I’m really proud of.”

DeBoer on the black hoodie…

“Yeah, there’ll be one on.”

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