Kalen DeBoer defends Jalen Milroe after Alabama’s embarrassment at Oklahoma

Jalen Milroe played his worst game of the season against Oklahoma at the worst time of the season, when Alabama had a shot at the SEC title and CFP berth. It’s the game that Milroe and this Alabama team will look back on and wonder what if.

And despite Milroe’s struggles against a mediocre Oklahoma team, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer took over Milroe’s defense. DeBoer didn’t just point the finger at Milroe’s decision-making. He also said there were some drops and some misreads that led to a season-high three interceptions for Milroe, according to an article on AL.com.

It’s been a bad season by Alabama standards, and Saturday’s loss will be the only reminder of what the post-Nick Saban era looks like. at least for now.

While I don’t think they’re completely out of contention in the College Football Playoff, the Crimson Tide’s loss to unranked, five-loss Oklahoma could be the final straw that puts Alabama out stays out of the playoffs.

Despite a loss to Tennessee and a loss to unranked Vanderbilt, they managed to stay relevant in the CFP conversation. In a best-case scenario, the Crimson Tide would have won, secured an at-large berth and avoided an SEC Championship Game appearance.

This is now the worst case scenario. It could be the play that ultimately defines Milroe’s career at Alabama. He hasn’t had a great season so far, with nine interceptions and just 15 touchdown passes.

While he was a running threat, Milroe didn’t look like the surefire first-round prospect in big games that he was expected to be. And it’s games like these that will haunt him and the Crimson Tide.

This is the season that Alabama ultimately got away with, and now they have to hope that the CFP selection committee’s favoritism toward the SEC works in their favor.

Good for DeBoer for not ripping off Milroe, but honestly the quarterback wasn’t that great, especially compared to last year. He showed against Vandy and Tennessee, good defense will give him fits.

We thank Oklahoma for accomplishing something only they thought possible. And in the process they exposed Milroe’s biggest mistake.