For a program built on championships, excellence, and an expectation of winning, the current state of Alabama football is simply unacceptable. And while one loss certainly doesn't define a season, two consecutive losses have raised serious questions about the direction of this Crimson Tide team under head coach Kalen DeBoer.

Now, as Alabama prepares to welcome Texas A&M to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday afternoon, the message couldn't be clearer: Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide absolutely have to win this football game.

There is no other way to put it.

Alabama enters Saturday's matchup with a 5-2 record after consecutive losses to Georgia and Tennessee, marking the program's first back-to-back regular-season defeats since 2007. The Crimson Tide went from looking like a legitimate College Football Playoff contender to facing serious questions about whether this team can even remain in the postseason conversation.

And quite frankly, that should concern everyone associated with Alabama football.

This isn't about expecting perfection. It isn't about believing Alabama should win every football game simply because of the name across the jersey. It's about expecting a program with Alabama's resources, talent, coaching salaries, and championship tradition to consistently compete at the highest level.

That's the standard Nick Saban established during his 17 seasons in Tuscaloosa. And while nobody should expect DeBoer to become Saban overnight, the expectation of excellence didn't leave when Saban retired.

DeBoer knew what he was walking into when he accepted this job. He understood the expectations, the pressure, and the responsibility that comes with leading one of the most prestigious programs in college football.

Now, it's time to deliver.

Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of Alabama's recent struggles is that we've already seen what this team is capable of accomplishing. During the first five games of the season, the Crimson Tide demonstrated offensive explosiveness, defensive improvement, and the ability to overwhelm opponents.

But the past two Saturdays have exposed glaring weaknesses that can no longer be ignored.

Against Georgia, Alabama struggled to capitalize on opportunities in a heartbreaking 20-17 defeat. Against Tennessee, the problems became considerably more concerning as the Crimson Tide managed just 10 points in an embarrassing 26-10 loss.

The offensive inconsistencies, questionable play-calling, protection issues, and inability to establish a rhythm have become increasingly difficult to defend.

And at some point, the responsibility falls on the coaching staff.

Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb must find a way to put quarterback Keelon Russell and the rest of Alabama's offensive personnel in positions to succeed. That means establishing some consistency in the running game, improving protection, making adjustments when something isn't working, and avoiding unnecessary complications that put a young quarterback in difficult situations.

Russell has tremendous potential, but potential alone doesn't win football games. Execution does.

Alabama has the athletes to compete with practically anyone in the country. What it needs now is a coaching staff capable of maximizing that talent when the competition gets tougher.

And that responsibility ultimately begins with DeBoer.

To be clear, suggesting that Alabama must win Saturday isn't the same as calling for DeBoer's job. Those are two entirely different conversations. However, there comes a point when legitimate criticism and accountability are warranted, especially when a program begins falling short of its own expectations.

Saturday represents an opportunity for DeBoer to demonstrate that he can respond to adversity, rally his locker room, and get Alabama football moving in the right direction again.

Texas A&M enters the matchup at 4-3, including a 1-3 record in SEC play. While the Aggies are certainly capable of creating problems, this is a football game Alabama should be able to win, particularly in front of its home crowd.

But winning requires more than showing up with superior talent.

It requires preparation, discipline, physicality, execution, and a sense of urgency that has been noticeably missing over the past two weeks.

The Crimson Tide cannot afford another sluggish offensive performance. It cannot continue putting its defense in difficult situations. And it certainly cannot afford to spend another Saturday looking unprepared for the opponent standing across the field.

More importantly, Alabama needs to show some fight.

Not just emotionally, but in the trenches, in the play-calling, in the adjustments, and in the way this team responds when adversity inevitably strikes.

With a trip to LSU awaiting after next week's open date, another loss would make Alabama's already difficult path toward the College Football Playoff considerably more complicated.

But this game is about something bigger than playoff positioning.

It's about the direction of the program.

It's about demonstrating that the Alabama standard still means something.

And it's about proving that when this program gets knocked down, it knows how to respond.

The Alabama standard was never about guaranteeing victory every Saturday. It was about preparation, discipline, accountability, and refusing to accept mediocrity.

DeBoer doesn't need to be Nick Saban. He needs to be a head coach capable of leading Alabama to the level of excellence its history, resources, and expectations demand.

Saturday afternoon is an opportunity to begin answering some increasingly uncomfortable questions. Because at Alabama, losing three consecutive football games isn't something that should ever become acceptable. And if DeBoer wants to quiet the growing criticism surrounding his program, the solution is remarkably simple.

Win the football game.

Not with excuses.

Not with explanations about what Alabama needs to improve.

Not with another postgame discussion about missed opportunities.

With execution. With discipline. With physical football. And most importantly, with a victory.

Alabama fans aren't wrong for expecting excellence. They're not unreasonable for demanding better.

That's what this program was built on.

And on Saturday against Texas A&M, it's time for Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide to remind everyone exactly what Alabama football is supposed to look like.

Roll TIde.

Source: Yahoo Sports