Alabama football doesn’t face Auburn until next week. A trip to Oklahoma is next up.

But Crimson Tide coach Kalen DeBoer already fielded a question about the Iron Bowl during the SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday.

With Thanksgiving next week, the Wednesday teleconference won’t be held. So a reporter took the chance to ask DeBoer for his thoughts on his first Iron Bowl during Oklahoma week.

“The focus isn’t on that, as you know,“ DeBoer said. ”But that’s going to be a game the whole state, us, Auburn, pour everything into. Just such great history over the many years. It’s a big game. A big game for a lot of reasons. The focus for us will be hopefully we’re playing for something.“

No. 7 Alabama (8-2, 4-2 SEC) needs to take care of business first against Oklahoma (5-5, 1-5) on Saturday (6:30 p.m., ESPN) in Norman, Oklahoma. The Crimson Tide can’t afford another regular-season lost, and maybe not one in the SEC Championship Game either. But definitely not in the regular season if it wants to stay alive for the College Football Playoff.

For Alabama to still be playing for that playoff spot when it faces Auburn, the Crimson Tide needs to beat Oklahoma first.

“That’s really what I know I’ve always tried to focus rivalry games on,” DeBoer said. “Where we’re at in the season. What it means for our team. But you certainly understand atmosphere and environment for the fans and everyone surrounding the game and how important it is to them with a rival game.”

Nick Kelly is an Alabama beat writer for AL.com and the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X and Instagram.