This upcoming season marks the first time that Alabama will take the field without Nick Saban as head coach in more than 15 years. Even though the greatest college football coach of all-time is no longer with the program in a full-time capacity, C.J. Stroud is not so sure that the Crimson Tide will see a major decline in 2024/25.
In fact, he is confident that Kalen DeBoer’s first season at the helm will be better than Hugh Freeze’s second year at Auburn and said as much during a recent appearance on Cam Newton’s podcast, The 4th and 1. Stroud straight up said that the Tigers “suck.”
The former Ohio State signal-caller actually never had the change to play Alabama while in college. That doesn’t prevent him from grasping the greatness of the program.
Newton jabbed Stroud about his time with the Buckeyes, to which the latter fired right back at the former over his alma mater’s lack of success. It was a quick shot in the host’s direction.
Not worried about you. Auburn sucks.
— C.J. Stroud
The 2010 Heisman Trophy winner chirped back by saying that Auburn finally has a chance because Nick Saban is no longer the head coach in Tuscaloosa. He believes that Freeze and the Tigers are in a position to compete against DeBoer and his program.
Stroud disagrees.
No. No no no. Bama own that, c’mon.
— C.J. Stroud
Part of the exchange stemmed from Newton’s ties to Auburn. Stroud was being extra harsh toward his program on purpose. It makes for entertaining television.
At the same time though, he was pretty quick to write the Tigers off.
The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year in the NFL does not have any faith in Freeze’s ability to return his program to the glory days, like Newton’s time on the Plains. Stroud is most certainly not alone in that opinion and it will be curious to see whether he is right.
Alabama has a chance to make a statement that it is not going anywhere in 2024/25. Any kind of decline will invigorate the SEC and give other programs the same feeling as Newton— like they have a chance.