That’s just the way DeBoer operates. After five games as Nick Saban’s successor, we’re witnessing the same highs and lows that were characteristic of DeBoer’s tenure at Washington.

His audacious play-calling often skews towards the reckless, players making sensational catches, along with a defense that raises eyebrows. The games tend to feel like the last laps of an Indy 500, where everyone is weary, and drivers abandon all strategy to pass for a decisive finish.

Last year at Washington, this style led to eight wins, despite varying levels of competition. It propelled the Huskies to the national championship game, earning DeBoer the opportunity to take over at one of college football’s premier programs.

However, there’s a concept known as regression to the mean, and it can feel as unpleasant as sudden food poisoning, forcing you out of bed and leaving you wary of ever eating again.

When you live so adventurously as DeBoer does in both Washington and Alabama, you’re bound to experience setbacks. For Alabama fans who don’t recall life before Saban arrived in 2007, suffering may feel almost preferable to what they witnessed on Saturday: a 40-35 loss to Vanderbilt.

What does this defeat, alongside DeBoer’s initial season, indicate about Alabama?

It suggests that while the Crimson Tide remains capable, it’s a level of capability that many teams can reach. It’s reminiscent of the exciting yet flawed teams coached by Lincoln Riley at Oklahoma, rather than the nearly unbeatable Alabama that dominated under Saban for over a decade.

The truth is, and it’s hard to compare anyone with the greatest of all time, Saban has never faced a loss this severe in his 17 seasons. This includes the notorious 2007 game against Louisiana-Monroe.

In that case, Saban was in his first season with a struggling program, lacking any expectations and with players seemingly checked out by mid-November. This Alabama team, however, was ranked No. 2 and had just triumphed dramatically over Georgia, taking the familiar DeBoer path: Jumping to a 28-0 lead, trailing 34-33, then reclaiming the lead with a 75-yard touchdown with just over two minutes left.

Is DeBoer aware that Alabama fans can’t handle this kind of stressful game? It’s not even entertaining when they prevail, but when they lose? When they’re just another decent team among many that could win or lose any Saturday?

Indeed, losing to Vanderbilt for the first time since 1984 isn’t great. But given Alabama’s defensive performances this season, any opponent could have done the same. That won’t be accepted. This style didn’t work for any Alabama coach prior to Saban, and it’s certainly not going to cut it for anyone after him. As appealing as the position might be, the inevitable outrage that DeBoer will face this week will highlight why many in college football believed succeeding Saban was a misguided endeavor.

Alabama’s recent two-week roller coaster against Georgia and Vanderbilt hints at a turbulent season ahead with even more surprises as we approach the first-ever 12-team playoff.

DeBoer was brought on largely due to his seemingly unbeatable track record last season. Was his remarkable success in close games due to a hidden winning strategy, or merely a streak of luck that Alabama will now face the consequences of?

Let’s face it, finding out is going to be torturous for Alabama fans. That’s why they sit at No. 1 in the Misery Index, a weekly ranking of the most troubled fan bases.

Four more teams in distress

Oklahoma State: One reason Mike Gundy has thrived for nearly twenty years in Stillwater is the rarity of extensive losing streaks. Before this season, he had only encountered a three-game losing streak four times throughout his career. However, this year’s downturn is shaping up to be disastrous following a 38-14 home defeat against West Virginia. The Cowboys were thoroughly overmatched, as West Virginia amassed 558 yards compared to Oklahoma State’s 227 and averaged an astonishing six yards per rush over 65 carries. Oklahoma State is now 0-3 in the Big 12, having been outscored 102-53 overall.

Missouri: Ranked No. 11 during preseason due largely to a favorable schedule and lingering excitement from last year’s 11-2 season, this team has failed to showcase any merit on the field to warrant College Football Playoff discussions or another national ranking. After an uncompetitive 41-10 defeat at Texas A&M, the Tigers now appear to be one of the season’s major disappointments. To compound matters, A&M’s coach Mike Elko accused Missouri of faking injuries during the game.

There’s been some interesting discussion surrounding a social media post by Missouri receiver Theo Wease. Upon his arrival at a hotel in College Station, he found both a Texas A&M blanket and a note claiming to be from Aggies cornerback Mike Lee. The note read, “Get used to this blanket. It will be real tomorrow.” However, head coach Elko mentioned that this “gift” didn’t originate from Lee or anyone at Texas A&M, implying that it might have been a tactic by Drinkwitz to motivate his own player. If this is accurate, it would certainly be the most intriguing development for Missouri this season.

Purdue: Ryan Walters has quickly risen through the ranks in coaching, landing a defensive coordinator position at just 30 years old and subsequently receiving acclaim at two different institutions before becoming a head coach in the Big Ten at 37. Unfortunately, his time at Purdue hasn’t been successful. Currently, Walters holds a 5-12 record at the school, with a noticeable decline in Year 2. Following a crushing 52-6 defeat against Wisconsin, Purdue stands at 1-4 and has faced daunting losses, being outscored 184-44 by FBS teams. While Purdue’s fans have seen worse during the Hazell era, the program has generally maintained a solid reputation since the late 1990s. Slipping to the bottom of the conference is unacceptable, especially when rival Indiana enjoys a strong 6-0 start under first-year coach Curt Cignetti.

Alabama-Birmingham: The multitude of vacant seats at the three-year-old Protective Stadium painted a clear picture on Saturday. The UAB fan base seems to be done with Trent Dilfer, who has struggled so far and demonstrated an attitude that has alienated supporters that have endured their share of disappointing football. Recently, Dilfer made a tone-deaf comment stating “It’s not like this is freakin’ Alabama,” presumably unaware of how it might resonate with UAB fans. The situation only worsened following a 71-20 defeat against Tulane.

He did attempt to apologize, albeit awkwardly, during the pre-game coach’s show, suggesting that fans misinterpreted his words. However, it’s tough to envision this partnership lasting much longer. UAB has made investments in a new stadium and practice facility, and their supporters desire a winning program. Unfortunately, both Dilfer and athletic director Mark Ingram now find themselves in precarious positions, a distressing reality for UAB fans who feel this turmoil was avoidable.

What’s particularly troubling about Dilfer’s tenure is that he seems like an unqualified celebrity thrust into a coaching role without the necessary credentials or experience. Despite previously playing in the NFL and working as a TV commentator, his coaching background only includes a few years at a private high school in Nashville, which is apparent in his current performance.

Struggles Persist, but Not Without Hope

Southern California: Will Trojans fans provide the program some leeway during its initial Big Ten season? We’re poised to find out, as this season swiftly transitioned from promising to merely okay, and ultimately to disappointing. Initially, USC’s apparent toughness after their season-opening victory over LSU has faded, particularly after they collapsed late in two of the last three weeks. First, they allowed an 89-yard touchdown drive that cost them the game against Michigan, followed by a fourth-quarter failure against Minnesota. A critical interception by Miller Moss negated USC’s chance to extend their lead, leading to a 24-17 loss and leaving them at 3-2 for the season. Equally concerning is the fact that Lincoln Riley has lost seven of his past twelve games.

TCU: As time passes from the 2022 season, it seems almost surreal that the Horned Frogs competed for a national championship under Sonny Dykes. Has any program squandered their momentum as dramatically after reaching such a pinnacle? A surprising 30-19 home loss to Houston, a team previously thought to be the worst in the Big 12, leaves TCU with a 3-3 record. In the aftermath, Dykes expressed confusion over the team’s lack of excitement and questioned whether complacency had rapidly set in.

East Carolina: It’s astonishing how frequently East Carolina has been noted in this context over the years, but perhaps it’s fitting given its history as a giant-killer in college football. Once boasting a dedicated fanbase and a legacy of winning, the reality is that the Pirates have struggled for the past decade, and the reasons for this decline remain unclear. Coach Mike Houston, who seemed like a promising hire after leading James Madison to a national title, has also faced struggles in his five years so far. After a 55-24 defeat to Charlotte, Houston’s record has dwindled to just five wins in his last 18 games, leading to calls for change.’

Troy: A developing trend emerges amidst the transfer portal phenomenon: Previously successful Group of Five programs are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain momentum following a coaching change. Jon Sumrall, who secured 23 of 27 wins at Troy, left for a better-paying job at Tulane—a decision that is understandable. However, the departure led to a mass exodus of 20 players to other programs, including some heading to Tulane and other power conferences. Consequently, Troy now sits at 1-5 after a 38-17 loss to Texas State. Is it preferable to experience these dramatic ups and downs or to simply remain steady, without having to worry about losing a rising coach?

Kennesaw State: As a newcomer at the FBS level, it’s clear they’re not prepared for the challenges ahead. Kennesaw State, previously a strong FCS program, currently stands at 0-5 after suffering a 39-point defeat against Jacksonville State. This places them as likely the weakest team in Conference USA, which they joined after losing members due to conference realignment. Presently, the Owls aren’t contributing positively to this division, instead merely diluting the competition and handing out easy wins to opponents.