Tim Tebow Says Alabama has Done a ‘Great Job’ Using Week 1 Failure as Motivation

SEC Network aired from the quad in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, as SEC Nation will be live from the quad on Saturday ahead of the Third Saturday in October Rivalry between Alabama and Tennessee. The Crimson Tide is once again looking to avenge a road loss from last season, falling to Tennessee in Neyland Stadium 24-17 as Volunteer fans stormed the field after their second-consecutive victory over the Crimson Tide at home.

It was one of four losses Alabama suffered away from Bryant-Denny Stadium in the 2024 season, calling into question Alabama's ability to handle adversity on the road under Kalen DeBoer. The naysayers got louder after week one this season, with Florida State toppling the Crimson Tide 31-17 in Doak Campbell Stadium, where once again, opposing fans rushed the field after the final kneel down of the game.

Since the loss to Florida State, Alabama has been a perfect 5-0, including wins over three ranked opponents, with two of them coming on the road. Alabama defeated Georgia in Athens 24-21 and Missouri in Columbia 27-24. The third ranked victory for Alabama came at home two weeks ago over Vanderbilt, 30-14.

Alabama has faced its fair share of adversity since the Florida State loss, which now feels like a lifetime ago, not just seven weeks. Since then, the response to adversity has been evident, with Alabama weathering the storm of an attempted comeback by Georgia, an early deficit against Vanderbilt, and a late-game rally by Missouri. In all three games, Alabama got punched in the mouth and responded with a punch of its own. Kalen DeBoer has mentioned this season that remembering what happened in week one is important to keep the team grounded, despite almost everyone calling the Crimson Tide a national title contender midway through the season. Holding on to that loss and using it as motivation is something that Tim Tebow, a former Heisman-winning quarterback and now SEC Network analyst, says Alabama is doing a 'great job' of doing.

"I think that teams learn, grow, and adapt throughout the year, and Alabama's the perfect example," Tebow said on The Paul Finebaum Show on Friday. "Week one, that was not a good Alabama team that played at Doak Campbell at FSU, but it's a team that has learned, that has grown, they have adapted.

"Ty Simpson has taken over as one of the better players in college football, and they're not the same team. Now, if you evaluate Florida State and you evaluate Alabama, they're not very comparable, although FSU really dominated, especially in the second half, because they have adapted and they have changed."

Since the Florida State loss that Tebow referenced, Alabama has gone 5-0. Quarterback Ty Simpson has entered and almost overtaken the Heisman conversation, completing 76% of his passes for 1,424 yards and 14 touchdowns since week one. According to the Heisman Trophy odds as of Friday night, Simpson is tied as the betting favorite for the highly coveted award. Ty Simpson has scored two or more touchdowns in every game he's played this season for Alabama - a picture of consistency.

"I really feel like this Alabama team has done a great job of using week one and the disappointment as a motivation to continue to grow," Tebow said. "Especially on their offense, and these receivers, and Ty Simpson."

After Alabama's week one loss to Florida State, Simpson sent a message to Alabama fans as FSU danced on the 'grave' of the Crimson Tide, less than 50 yards away on the field.

“I promise you one thing, and that goes to every Alabama fan and my teammates, that I’m gonna work hard and make sure that we are gonna get this fixed," Simpson said in the postgame locker room.

To quote my good friend Chris Marler, "If you're going to dance on Alabama's grave, dance lightly."

Ty Simpson and No. 6 Alabama have a chance later today to pick up their fourth win over a ranked opponent this season when they take on No. 11 Tennessee. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Wyatt Fulton is the Tide 100.9 DME and Brand Manager, primarily covering Alabama Crimson Tide football and men's basketball. For more Crimson Tide coverage, follow Wyatt on X (Formerly known as Twitter) at @FultonW_.