Alabama’s DeBoer, Auburn’s Freeze see Iron Bowl as a chance for redemption

Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer and Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze sing similar tunes about seasons that failed to live up to expectations for either storied program.

It’s safe to say Saturday’s game is on the line for both embattled coaches, who have suffered hard to get going this year. Auburn can somewhat salvage a lost season with a win over Alabama, while the Crimson Tide must win to keep their playoff hopes alive.

Funnily enough, it’s DeBoer who looks a lot like his coaching compatriot Freeze, especially when he complains quite wistfully about his team’s puzzling problems.

Last week against Oklahoma, Bama blew itself up with three turnovers, and you have to admit, that sounds eerily similar to what Freeze and his young Auburn team have been through this season.

“It’s disappointing because I feel like we’ve progressed well in the last month, really the consistency in all areas,” De Boer said during the media release this week. “(It) really starts with winning the revenue margin. That gave us momentum, we got off to a fast start because of it, we held teams to score, we actually gave up a single touchdown…” so some of those things were still in play.”

Freeze also suffered greatly, as there were costly turnovers and the close games could not be played to the end. That depressing narrative changed last Saturday after four overtimes against Texas A&M, so here’s hoping the positive momentum continues this Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

Of course, the Iron Bowl traditionally dictates that form, placement and previous boasts are often thrown out the window.

Still, De Boer is determined to gain a noticeable advantage through some of his experienced players who don’t know what it’s like to lose to Auburn.

“Just when we talk about it in the team meeting yesterday, you can already feel the leadership really talking about what this game means to them, what it means to us, what it means to everyone on both sides,” De Boer said .

“365 days a year since I’ve been here, I think I hear about it every day. So understand what it means, the excitement, and we have to learn from last week and get better from it and turn around.” the site.

“You know, we’re doing everything we can to be successful on Saturday and find a way to win.”

On the other hand, Coach Freeze certainly understands that getting rid of the heavyweight Bama Monkey is of the utmost importance, especially considering the future goals of the entire program.

“Sitting in this seat and losing one like we did last year is still not right,” Freeze admitted Monday. “I know the Auburn faithful have had to endure this, and we want to change that feeling in this building and for our great fan base in this state.”

It will surprise absolutely no one to know that pride is at stake. One could also assume that Freeze and Auburn are suddenly a little freer toward the fences.

Drawing closure against Alabama means throwing away last year’s crushing disappointments, and that would of course also open up more opportunities to extend an often topsy-turvy season.

A win puts the Tigers in a bowl while also ruining Alabama’s chances of making the College Football Playoff.

“We had a chance to win it, so we have to find a way to hang in there and give ourselves a chance to win and try to change that and make it a regular expectation,” Freeze explained.