Alabama faces Louisiana Monroe on Saturday

September 5, 2025 – TUSCALOOSA, AL – It is week two of the college football season and it feels like Kalen DeBoer is already coaching for his coaching life at Alabama after an uninspiring opening day loss to Florida State – after losing to Michigan in the bowl game and being eliminated from playoff contention against a poor Oklahoma team last season. National pundits and Alabama's most outspoken fans alike are suggesting that the Crimson Tide need a coaching change. DeBoer can silence a lot of the noise this week with a convincing win over the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM).

ULM is coached by Bryant Vincent who is in his second year after being UAB's interim head coach in 2022. The Warhawks are off to a promising start this year, sitting at 1–0 following a dominant 29–0 win over Saint Francis in their season opener.

ULM plays in the Sun Belt Conference. Vincent doubles as the offensive coordinator, emphasizing a run-heavy attack. That could potentially pose trouble for the Tide defense that gave up 240 yards on the ground to FSU last week.

Earnest Hill leads a defense that pitched a shutout in Week 1 and was ranked top 25 nationally in pass defense last season. Hill will present a lot of different coverages and looks to try to confuse Bama Quarterback Ty Simpson who is just in his second start.

ULM returns quarterback Aidan Armenta. He is a veteran signal caller who will not be easily pressured and provides a steady presence under center. ULM running back Braylon McReynolds is a transfer from South Alabama. He exploded for 113 rushing yards and a TD catch last week in the opener. Wide Receiver Tyler Griffin is a big-bodied target at 6'4", 210 lbs. he has proven to be reliable in the red zone.

All that said Alabama fields an offensive line that features left tackle Kevin Proctor at 6'7" 366 lbs., right tackle Wilkin Formby 6'7" 324, left guard Kam Dewberry 6'4" 322, Center Parker Brailsford 6'2" 290 lbs., and right guard Jaeden Roberts 6'5" 310. Arkel Anugwom at 6'6 328 is expected to play as well. ULM can't match Alabama's size and power so if Alabama simply runs the ball routinely that will force ULM to commit safeties to the run game opening up lanes for Germie Bernard and the other wide receivers in the passing game.

Tide star running back Jam Miller is still out due to a broke collarbone in an August scrimmage. Wide receiver Ryan Williams suffered a concussion in the opener so is doubtful for Saturday's game.

The game kicks off Saturday at 6:45 p.m. Central Time at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. It will be broadcast on SEC Network, with streaming available via WatchESPN.

ULM was picked to finish last in the Sun Belt West Division preseason poll so the Tide should roll this week. ESPN's computers give the Tide a 96.2% chance of victory. Alabama is a 37.5 point favorite.