In college football, the phrase *We Want Bama* has echoed for years. It’s a challenge, a dare—teams wanting to prove they can take on the sport’s elite.
Alabama might not be sitting unchallenged at the top anymore, but under head coach Kalen DeBoer, the Crimson Tide is still a force. Damien Harris, once an Alabama running back and now a CBS analyst, has a warning for anyone itching to face them: *Do you really want Bama?*
Harris’s words come at a time when Alabama is balancing promise with some obvious flaws. They’re still eyeing a spot in the College Football Playoff, even if the path isn’t as smooth as it once was.
Alabama’s Storied Legacy and Current Standing
Alabama has set the standard for college football for ages. Nick Saban built a dynasty there, and every other program wanted to catch up.
Sure, Alabama isn’t steamrolling everyone like before, but they’re still in the conversation. Harris, who knows the program inside and out, insists the Tide remains dangerous.
The Harris Perspective
Harris sums it up: *It’s the fact that everyone wants to say we’re not afraid of Bama anymore*. But is that confidence really earned?
He argues it’s not. Harris still thinks Alabama is the best team in the country. He points to guys like Ty Simpson and Jam Miller, both stepping up, and credits the defense for keeping games under control.
He’s also wary of DeBoer, who, in Harris’s eyes, has quietly become a huge asset for the team.
Areas for Improvement
Still, nobody’s pretending this Alabama team is perfect. Fans and analysts see the cracks—especially in the run game.
Even with Jam Miller joining the backfield, the ground attack hasn’t clicked the way people hoped. The offensive line has struggled, especially against big, aggressive defensive fronts.
That could spell trouble against teams like Texas A&M or Ohio State, and it’s not something you can just ignore.
Defensive Challenges
The defense, while better in some spots, has shown weakness against the run. It’s a little leaky, honestly.
That could be a problem against teams that know how to pound the ball. Still, there’s a sense that the defense is trending up, and maybe they’ll get it sorted as the season wears on.
Battle-Tested and Ready
After their second bye week, Alabama looks pretty battle-tested. They’re on a seven-game winning streak after dropping the opener to Florida State.
That run includes four straight wins over ranked SEC opponents: Georgia, Vanderbilt, Missouri, and Tennessee. Not bad, right?
Those victories have definitely boosted the team’s confidence. They’re in a good spot heading into the season’s final stretch.
Upcoming Challenges
The road ahead isn’t exactly easy. Next up is LSU, a team that’s hungry to make a statement after Brian Kelly’s departure.
Then comes Oklahoma, fresh off a bye week and a big win in Knoxville. And let’s not forget the Iron Bowl at Auburn—always a wild card, even with an interim coach running things.
Path to the College Football Playoff
Alabama is still in the hunt for a College Football Playoff spot. There’s work left to do, and nobody’s pretending otherwise.
The schedule is tough, and improvement is needed in a few key areas. But one thing hasn’t changed: other programs still want to test themselves against the Crimson Tide.
Alabama isn’t the unstoppable machine it was a few years ago. Still, you’d be kidding yourself if you thought the Tide was an easy opponent these days.
Damien Harris had some strong words for folks eager to take on Alabama. His warning should make other teams think twice.
There’s no doubt Alabama’s working on its weak spots. The college football world is watching, waiting to see what happens next.
Teams chanting *We Want Bama*—are you sure about that?
Want more on Damien Harris’s warning? Check out the full article on Bama Hammer.
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