As Alabama gears up for its College Football Playoff quarterfinal clash with Indiana in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day, Kalen DeBoer and his Crimson Tide squad are getting a brief holiday breather before heading west to Pasadena on December 29. But while the players enjoy a few days off for Christmas, there’s still plenty on DeBoer’s wish list as he looks to guide Alabama deeper into the postseason. Here are five things the Tide head coach would love to unwrap - gifts that could make all the difference against the Hoosiers.
1. The Best Version of Ty Simpson, Start to Finish
There’s no sugarcoating it - Alabama needs the Ty Simpson who showed up in the second half against Oklahoma, not the one who’s been inconsistent since the Tennessee game. After weeks of questions surrounding his health and rhythm, Simpson finally looked like himself again in that OU matchup - decisive, accurate, and in control.
That version of Simpson is capable of leading Alabama through a playoff run. But if he disappears for even a quarter, the margin for error shrinks fast.
Against a disciplined Indiana defense, Alabama can’t afford a slow start or a mid-game lull from its quarterback. DeBoer needs Simpson locked in from the opening snap to the final whistle.
2. A Healthy LT Overton in the Trenches
LT Overton hasn’t seen the field since the Iron Bowl, sidelined by an undisclosed medical issue. But there’s a glimmer of hope.
DeBoer said this week that Overton hasn’t been ruled out for the Rose Bowl, and that’s big news for a defense that’s lacked consistent disruption up front. Overton brings the kind of explosive presence Alabama needs along the defensive line - he’s a problem for opposing quarterbacks and a tone-setter in the run game.
If he’s back in the mix, it gives defensive coordinator Kane Wommack another weapon to throw at Indiana’s offense. And in a playoff setting, every extra bit of pressure counts.
3. Stability on the Coaching Staff
Success breeds attention - and Alabama’s assistants are feeling it. Wide receivers coach JaMarcus Shephard and quarterbacks coach Nick Sheridan have already accepted new jobs, with Sheridan expected to stay on through the playoff.
Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack is also drawing interest. It’s part of the deal at a place like Alabama, but it’s also a challenge.
DeBoer would love to put a bow on hiring season and keep the rest of his staff intact, at least through this playoff push. Continuity matters, especially when preparing for a postseason game with national title implications.
Distractions on the sideline can bleed into the locker room - and that’s the last thing Alabama needs right now.
4. A Ryan Williams Revival
Ryan Williams was supposed to be one of Alabama’s breakout stars in 2025. Instead, he’s become something of a mystery.
The freshman wideout flashed big-time potential early but has faded from the offensive game plan. Drops have been a major issue - 10 on the season, including a costly one against Oklahoma - and his targets have dwindled, with no more than five in any game since Week 9.
But the talent is still there. If Williams can rediscover his confidence and clean up the drops, he could be a game-changer again.
Alabama doesn’t necessarily need him to be the focal point - just a reliable, explosive option that forces Indiana to respect every inch of the field.
5. The New, Confident Conor Talty
Alabama’s kicking game hasn’t always inspired confidence in recent years, but Conor Talty is doing his best to change that narrative. Since missing a chip shot against Eastern Illinois - and hearing it from the home crowd - Talty has been perfect.
No missed field goals, no missed extra points. That includes a clutch 40-yarder in Norman that helped seal the win over Oklahoma.
While Alabama has leaned into an aggressive fourth-down mindset all season, having a kicker you can trust to deliver three points when needed is still a major asset. If Talty keeps this up, he could play a critical role in a tight playoff game where every point is magnified.
The Crimson Tide have the talent, the coaching, and the pedigree to make a serious run. But every championship team needs a few things to break their way - a quarterback in rhythm, a healthy defense, coaching stability, a spark from a forgotten playmaker, and a kicker who doesn’t flinch. If DeBoer finds all five under his metaphorical tree this Christmas, Alabama might just be unwrapping more than presents come January.