College football and superstitions have an unbreakable connection, and even the most serious coach in the SEC can’t really escape it. This week’s SEC teleconference focused on a particular sideline custom followed by Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer, his black hoodie. Eli Drinkwitz, the head coach of Missouri, who picked up the call before DeBoer, wasted no time on questioning him. “Are you gonna wear the black hoodie of death on the sideline this game with us wearing black jerseys?” he asked.

DeBoer responded with a laugh, “Oh, coach Drink. I got to fit in somehow. More than likely. We’ll see what the forecast is. I kind of know, but yeah, I’m executing that, so it’s kind of got its own life of its own right now.” But it’s not just the rival coaches who are keeping an eye on this ritual. Some pressure is coming from inside his job for the Bama head coach.

Ahead of their Week 7 game against the Tigers, Kalen DeBoer appeared on the Bussin’ With The Boys podcast. The hosts, known to never miss a beat on what’s trending, brought in the real reason why Tide has managed to turn it around since Week 1. The back hoodie. DeBoer revealed that his daughters demand that he continue the hoodie thing.

 “…my daughters, they see it all, and they’re even kind of putting the pressure on me, like, ‘Coach, you can’t let us down.’ “I didn’t mean for it to be that way; it was just kind of what I was comfortable with over the years, but it’s kind of taken a life of its own, crazy enough.”

The black sweatshirt, a staple of his sideline gear, has swiftly gained popularity. It has a record of 11-2 when worn, but beyond the jokes, Kalen DeBoer knows that they’d need more than this tradition to defeat Missouri, especially considering how the Tigers’ head coach has performed so far.

“From afar… There have been times where you take notice of what he’s done at different places, not just as a head coach, but even as an assistant,” Kalen DeBoer said. “I’m happy for his success. Always rooting for the guys that do it the right way.”

Tigers aim to upset Crimson Tide in high-stakes SEC game

No. 8 Alabama will travel to Columbia to play No. 14 Missouri this week, which is their third consecutive meeting with a ranked opponent. This game will be a huge test for a Missouri team coming off a bye week, as the Tigers (5-0, 1-0 SEC) haven’t played a top-15 opponent at home for 46 years, since 1979. Alabama is currently the SEC favorite after bouncing back well after a setback to Florida State in week 1. The Crimson Tide has won four straight games, including some major victories over Vanderbilt and Georgia.

The purpose of the idle week, according to Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz, has been “sharpening our edge, improvement, and recovery,” but he is aware that the Tigers cannot afford a slow start. “Obviously, you’ve got to guard against the rust,” he stated. Elite running stats, a strong defense, and QB Beau Pribula’s efficiency have been the key elements in Missouri’s success so far. One of the standouts has been running back Ahmad Hardy, who leads the country with 730 rushing yards and has forced 46 missed tackles, the kind of record that no other SEC back can match.

With solid ties between Missouri OC Kirby Moore and Alabama OC Ryan Grubb, as well as between Missouri DC Corey Batoon and Alabama DC Kane Wommack, both the OC and DC staffs are familiar with each other. And Drinkwitz is aware that execution will be crucial. In reference to Alabama’s outstanding QB performance, he stated, “The focal point for the game is gonna be our ability to stay on the field on third downs.” Both teams will be put to the test in almost every aspect of the game, as both the SEC and the CFPs are at stake.