College football season has begun and things have already gotten interesting in the SEC. With this weekend’s events, some coaches picked up big wins, while others did not. Let’s take a look at who is on the hot seat, and who is working his way off of it.
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Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
After missing the College Football Playoff in 2024, Alabama was looking to compete for a national championship this season. The Crimson Tide looked well on their way after their first drive ended in a touchdown. Then, the Seminoles showed up. Florida State quarterback Thomas Castellanos backed up his talk from the offseason and proved to be exactly right. Florida State rolled to a 31-17 win.
Castellanos said that Nick Saban can no longer save them. That was apparent as Florida State took control of the game, and never ceded the lead. The Seminoles outgained the Crimson Tide 230 to 87 on the ground. New Florida State offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn was a thorn in Alabama’s side once again as the Crimson Tide had no answer for the Seminoles’ rushing attack.
For Kalen DeBoer, this is already his fourth loss to an unranked team. Keep in mind, this is only his second season. Living up to the expectations at Alabama is quite difficult, and when you lose games you are not expected to, it becomes even more difficult.
DeBoer and Alabama face UL-Monroe next week, ironically enough. UL-Monroe famously defeated Alabama in Saban’s first year in Tuscaloosa.
Mark Stoops, Kentucky
The Kentucky program is expected to finish near the bottom of the conference this season. Saturday, the Wildcats did little to dispel those expectations in an ugly 24-16 win. Quarterback Zach Calzada completed 10 of 23 passes for only 85 yards as the Kentucky offense was dormant for most of the day.
It was not until the fourth quarter when the Kentucky rushing attack took over. Running backs Dante Dowell and Seth McGowan each ran for a touchdown in the final frame of this one.
The Wildcats take on a potent Ole Miss team this week. The Rebels put up 63 points in their win over Georgia State. The Wildcats pulled off a wild upset in Oxford last season, will they be up to the task again?
Sam Pittman, Arkansas
Sam Pittman’s team cruised to a 52-7 win behind quarterback Taylen Green’s six touchdown passes. After allowing a touchdown on Alabama A&M’s first possession, Arkansas never allowed another score.
This dominant performance is encouraging, but the tests get tougher this month as Arkansas goes to Ole Miss and hosts Notre Dame.
Brent Venables, Oklahoma
Brent Venables is relying on new quarterback John Mateer to reshape the offense, and early returns are positive. Mateer threw for 392 yards and 3 touchdowns in his debut performance. This was a jolt to a passing offense that did not have a single 300-yard game last season.
The Oklahoma defense was dominant as well. The Sooners limited Illinois State to only 151 yards and 8 first downs.
Oklahoma hosts Michigan this week. We will see if Mateer can continue his success against a Michigan defense that ranked top 10 nationally last season.
Billy Napier, Florida
Florida handled business against Long Island. This was about as big of a mismatch as possible in college football. Just look at this Long Island team.
Pick on someone your own size, Gators! They will host the Bulls of South Florida this week. South Florida is fresh off of a win over Boise State, so they could spell trouble for Napier and the Gators.
Hugh Freeze, Auburn
Hugh Freeze needed to win the season opener at Baylor, and he did. After a less than ideal offseason, Freeze has gained positive momentum with a 38-24 win over Baylor.
Quarterback Jackson Arnold looks to be a nice fit in the Auburn offense. Arnold ran for 137 yards to go along with 2 touchdowns.
Auburn will get two tune-up games against Ball State and South Alabama before heading to Oklahoma on September 20. Arnold will get a shot to take down his former team. The losing coach in that game will find himself in peril.
Brian Kelly, LSU
No one was a bigger winner in Week 1 than Brian Kelly. Faced with three consecutive losses in season openers, Kelly went to Clemson and came away a winner.
With Garrett Nussmeier and a much-improved defense, things are looking up in Baton Rouge. For Kelly, that means a championship is in reach.
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