Expert thinks new coordinators will be key for Alabama's CFP hopes

It has only been one season without the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff, but it already feels strange.

Nick Saban's program has been in seven of the nine playoffs to date, after all. And the funny thing is, even while missing the CFP last season, the Crimson Tide still went 11-2 with a win in the Sugar Bowl.

Championships are the expectations at Alabama, though, and at least one SEC expert, Paul Finebaum, thinks Saban will restore those expectations in 2023.

“I feel pretty good,” Finebaum told McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning regarding how he feels about Alabama heading into 2023 (h/t On3). "I’ve been feeling better about Alabama for months now. I just think that the biggest issue is quarterback, but once that can be settled, assuming it can, I think a lot of missing parts have been found through recruiting.”

The Tide have an unresolved quarterback competition brewing in camp between redshirt sophomore Jalen Milroe, redshirt freshman Ty Simpson and redshirt sophomore Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner.

The winner of that battle and their ultimate success could determine just how good Alabama is in 2023, but Finebaum actually thinks there's an even bigger contributor to the Crimson Tide's CFP hopes: New offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and new defensive coordinator Kevin Steele.

“I’m extremely excited to see what the two new coordinators will bring, because I’ve argued in the past that some of the coaching has really got in Alabama’s way,” Finebaum explained. “Two years ago, I felt like [Doug] Marrone, the offensive line coach, was an issue. He was gone last year. Things really didn’t get any better, but that could’ve been blamed on the offensive coordinator, and I will spare you, the audience, my thoughts on Pete Golding. I know what the stats indicate, but I also know what my eyes saw.

“So I feel like with new coordinators, with Kevin Steele on the defensive side of the ball, there’s a high level of confidence for me that this team can make it to the playoffs.”

Of course, it should be noted that any program with Saban at the helm has a shot to win it all — and he will ultimately be calling the shots in Tuscaloosa.

There has always been change at Alabama. From quarterbacks to coordinators to stars on the defensive side of the ball.

Saban has remained the constant since 2007, though, and he's hard to bet against when a championship is on the line.