Alabama football starts a new era on Saturday. The Crimson Tide will face Western Kentucky at Bryant-Denny Stadium, led for the first time by head coach Kalen DeBoer after Nick Saban’s January retirement.

It’s UA’s first time facing the Hilltoppers since the 2016 season. Alabama won that game 38-10.

Alabama is favored by more than 30 points for Saturday’s game. Through the four all-time matchups with the Crimson Tide, WKU has only managed 17 points.

Still, fans will be watching intently as the Crimson Tide opens DeBoer’s tenure. The game is scheduled to kick off at 6:05 p.m. CT, and will be aired on ESPN.

Here’s what to know about the Hilltoppers before Saturday’s game.

The system

WKU has taken full advantage of the transfer portal through the years. It first became prominent in 2021, when the Hilltoppers took much of Houston Baptist (now Houston Christian)’s offense, including quarterback Bailey Zappe.

Zappe broke NCAA records playing in current Texas Tech offensive coordinator Zach Kittley’s offense. Once those two moved on, West Florida transfer Austin Reed picked up where they left off.

The Hilltoppers have continued to play a high-flying brand of offensive football, racking up yards and points through the air. That’s not expected to stop in 2024, though given the level of talent on Alabama’s defense, it might be tougher sledding to open the season.

Still, for an untested Crimson Tide secondary, WKU could be a solid challenge to begin the campaign.

The quarterback

Most of Western Kentucky’s roster hasn’t played Alabama before. That won’t be the case for its starting quarterback.

TJ Finley will be on his third attempt against the Crimson Tide. The Louisiana native began his career at LSU and Auburn, coming very close to winning the 2020 Iron Bowl before Bryce Young orchestrated a Heisman moment final drive.

After leaving the SEC, Finley headed to Texas State. He helped the Bobcats beat Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack’s South Alabama team last season.

Finley won the starting job at WKU over returnee Caden Veldkamp after transferring in. However, head coach Tyson Helton told AL.com in a one-one-one interview Tuesday that both QBs could see action.

The coach

Helton joined WKU in 2019, after a stint as offensive coordinator under Jeremy Pruitt at Tennessee. He had previously worked as an assistant for the Hilltoppers, helping Jeff Brohm win a Conference USA title in 2015.

Helton is an offensively minded coach, helping turn around a program that had fallen into disrepair after Brohm’s departure for Purdue following the 2016 season. He has ties to several members of Alabama’s staff, having worked with UA tight ends coach Bryan Ellis and wideouts coach JaMarcus Shephard on staff at WKU.

He has ties to the state of Alabama, working at UAB from 2007 through 2012. He played his college football at Houston, where his father, Kim Helton, was head coach.

His brother is current Georgia Southern head coach Clay Helton.