The Alabama Crimson Tide is just two weeks away from getting started on the second season of the Kalen DeBoer era.

After a first year that saw highs, as well as some serious lows with four losses, the pressure is squarely on DeBoer to get it right

With a new-look offense headed up by his longtime offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, DeBoer has to get it done this year if he wants to meet the high expectation Alabama fans.

According to his predecessor, he may be trending toward doing just that.

“I think [DeBoer] is doing a great job,” Saban said at the annual Nick Saban Legacy Awards this week.

“I think there was so much in the transition. Last year, it was very, very difficult. A lot of players left when we retired, which I hated to see. The coaching changes, the staff changes. Players really relate to people in the organization, so when you change a lot of those people, it’s a big change for the players.”

Saban also revealed how much he and DeBoer talk — and offered an optimistic prediction for the season.

“I think the team this year is much more grounded in terms of what Coach DeBoer really wants. He’s been great with me. He comes and sees me. We talk all the time. He’s always invited me to come to practice. I’ve tried to keep my distance because I don’t want to meddle in what he’s trying to do. I think they have the right staff, I think they have the right people and I think you’ll see a big improvement in Alabama’s team this year.”

Going into his second year on the College GameDay desk as DeBoer tries to get the program back to the Saban standard, it should be a fascinating year for both the past and present of Alabama football.