DeBoer’s Bye-Week Record Faces Another Test at LSU
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer takes an 8-0 record in games after bye weeks into a crucial road matchup with LSU on November 7, after his staff used the idle week to prepare and address areas for improvement.
Alabama’s season turns toward a major test at LSU on November 7, with Kalen DeBoer seeking to extend his perfect record in games after a bye. Three of the most significant victories of his Alabama tenure have followed idle weeks, including a 42-13 win at LSU in 2024 that kept the Crimson Tide’s playoff hopes alive. Both teams had entered that game 6-2.
DeBoer is 8-0 after bye weeks as a Division I head coach. His record includes top-15 victories over Oregon State and Oregon while he was at Washington. Alabama also beat Georgia after a bye in 2024, then defeated the Bulldogs again after an idle week the following season.
DeBoer said the staff uses the time to create a focused plan rather than treating it as a break from the season. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said bye weeks offer a chance to work on problems and make the period productive. Receiver Rico Scott said the team feels mentally ahead of where it has been before other games.
Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said players’ needs vary: some must develop fundamentals, while others need physical rest. The staff also reviews Alabama’s performance and prepares for its next opponent. Wommack said the players approached the week with the right attitude ahead of facing a strong SEC team on the road.