Eli Drinkwitz Asks Kalen DeBoer if He'll Wear 'Black Hoodie of Death' at Mizzou

Simply put, superstitions and sports go hand in hand.

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer has often worn a black hoodie during games since his arrival in January 2024, and the Crimson Tide is 12-2 when he dons the look.

The college football world has noticed this trend, and ahead of No. 8 Alabama's road matchup against No. 14 Missouri, Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz stayed on the SEC coaches teleconference to ask DeBoer the important question.

"Are you going to wear the black hoodie of death on the sideline this game with us wearing black jerseys?" Drinkwitz asked.

"I got to fit in somehow," DeBoer laughed. "More than likely. We'll see what the forecast is. I kind of know, but I'm expecting that. It's kind of got a life of its own right now. We're rolling with it."

DeBoer and Drinkwitz were never on the same coaching staff, but the Alabama head coach is very impressed with Mizzou's leader.

"From afar and throughout my time at different parts of the country, there's been times where you take notice of what he's done at different places, not just as a head coach, but even as an assistant," DeBoer said.

"His success, it happened over and over at different places, and just what he's done now here building Missouri and the program there to be so consistent with the number of wins you see each year, their style of play and a place that certainly the fan base has a lot of pride in.

"I think, just as far as the relationship piece, it starts with the respect. But then there are times where you cross paths for different reasons. Even coach [Kirby] Moore, the offense coordinator there, you know. There's that history I had, and when he's trying to hire a coach, there's conversations you have. I'm happy for his success. Always rooting for the guys that do it the right way."

Kickoff on Saturday at Faurot Field is slated for 11 a.m. CT on ABC.

Drinkwitz and the Tigers' 45.2 points per game rank seventh in the country, while their 14.6 points allowed per game is 16th in the country. This is a well-rounded 5-0 program, and yet it's the eighth-highest ranked SEC team in the latest AP Top 25.

Mizzou has numerous conference standouts on both sides of the ball, but running back Ahmad Hardy is one of the most prominent players in the country. The Louisiana Monroe transfer leads the SEC in rushing attempts (103) and touchdowns (nine), and his 730 rushing yards are the best mark in the country.

Mizzou's 14.6 points allowed per game ranks 16th in the country, and more specifically, its pass defense is 10th (158.5 yards allowed per game) and the run defense's 39.5 yards allowed per game is the best mark in the nation by a wide margin. For reference, Oklahoma is second with 64.0.

Can the "Black Hoodie of Death" help Alabama on Saturday morning against one of the most well-rounded teams in college football?

Read More: