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By Cameron Kiszla
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The Alabama Crimson Tide is coming into a pivotal third season under head coach Kalen DeBoer, and all eyes will be on what changes the team has made between last year and this one.
After all, a win in the first round of the College Football Playoff was great, but that 38-3 beatdown at the hands of the Indiana Hoosiers exposed how far the Tide still have to go to compete for a title.
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So what will determine Alabama's fate? Andrea Adelson of ESPN addressed that exact question in a roundup of each top 25 team's X factor, and interestingly, Adelson didn't pick a player.
'Improving this area has to be the top priority'
Any Alabama fan could tell you that the fatal flaw for last year's team was the poor offensive line play, so naturally, Adelson highlighted that as an area for improvement.
She didn't identify a particular lineman, though, instead putting the onus on a new coach: Adrian Klemm.
"The Alabama offensive line has not played up to par over the past several seasons, so coach Kalen DeBoer did something about it, replacing Chris Kapilovic with Klemm," she wrote.
She highlighted Klemm's experience — he "has worked both in the NFL and college ranks" — but also stressed how difficult his new role may be.
"His task may be a simple one -- improving the line -- but the challenge is enormous," she wrote. "Alabama lost six of its top seven offensive linemen and brought in 11 new players. Of the six transfer linemen signed, only two started on the FBS level. Alabama was one of the worst teams in the SEC at running the ball. Blocking well, opening holes and improving this area has to be the top priority."
And Adelson is hardly alone in that assessment.
Colin Gay of the Tuscaloosa News also delved into the Tide's line concerns, noting that "offensive line production may be the all-encompassing sign of success for Alabama in 2026."
Gay explained that the Tide might be trying to focus on identifying five steady starters instead of "mixing and matching like 2025," but it's unclear if that strategy will bear fruit.
"Alabama completely revamped its offensive line room, hiring Klemm to lead the charge. Will the transformation work?"
We'll get our first inkling on Sept. 5, when Alabama hosts East Carolina.
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