Alabama football's preseason hype has reached a new low, with the team ranked only 15th by Athlon. This is a stark contrast to the past, when Alabama was a dominant force in college football, intimidating opponents even in early July. The question on everyone's mind is: where has the pride and mettle gone? The team's recent performances, including a 38-3 loss to Indiana, have raised concerns about their identity and ability to respond to adversity. The author speculates that the team's soft nature may be a result of the transfer portal and pay-for-play era, where rankings are less reliable. The article also highlights the irony of Alabama's situation, with the team's coach, Kalen DeBoer, being as uninspiring as a bowl of cold ketchup soup. The author calls for the team to find a backbone and toughen up, suggesting that if they don't, it's time for athletics director Greg Byrne to be fired. The article concludes by questioning the team's ability to respond to being soft and speculating on the implications for the SEC and Alabama football as a whole.
