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HC Kalen DeBoer sent into rage as Alabama loses to Georgia
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Missed pass interference, lack of discipline send Kalen DeBoer into rage as No. 6 Alabama loses to No. 2 Georgia

The Georgia Bulldogs are likely headed for the No. 1 spot in the country.

Thanks to their 20-17 win over No. 6 Alabama on Saturday night, combined with No. 1 Texas losing to Oklahoma, the stage is set for Kirby Smart's Bulldogs to be the No. 1 team in the country.

While they played a great, physical SEC game on Saturday, there is no question they had some help late in the game.

Both from the officials and a stunning lack of composure from Alabama.

Both plays sent Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer into a fit of rage.

Kalen DeBoer melts down after stunning fourth-quarter sequence

The first play that drew DeBoer's rage was a blatant pass interference in the end zone that should have given Alabama a first down and a great chance to take the lead. 

The early contact was somehow not called, forcing Alabama into a third-and-long that resulted in a sack, which took the Crimson Tide out of field-goal range.

DeBoer was living on the Alabama sidelines, storming onto the field, throwing his headset and screaming at the officials. 

But that was nothing compared to what happened on the ensuing Georgia series.

It was there that freshman defensive back Dijon Lee was flagged for a post-whistle, 15-yard penalty that gave Georgia a first down and all but ended the game.

As Lee came off the field, DeBoer could be seen screaming in Lee's face and appeared to tell him that he cost Alabama the game with his penalty. 

It is not hard to understand his frustration, especially as it relates to the missed pass interference call. That was a game-changing play that should not have been missed. It was not a bang-bang play; it was not something that needed ultra-slow-motion replay to see. It was obvious. It was obvious in real time, and there is no excuse for officials to miss it.

His frustration with the post-whistle penalty is also understandable, but even if it was a selfish, costly play, Alabama still needed to do something with the ball if it had made a stop with little time remaining on the clock. Maybe it would have. But given that Alabama had just three second-half points, that is far from a guarantee. 

Adam Gretz

Adam Gretz is a freelance writer based in Pittsburgh. He covers the NHL, NFL, MLB and NBA. Baseball is his favorite sport -- he is nearly halfway through his goal of seeing a game in every MLB ballpark. Catch him on X @AGretz

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