“I was throwing the rat poison”: Mark Ingram eats his words as Kalen DeBoer hilariously makes him apologize for CFP remark

Mark Ingram spoke to Kalen DeBoer after Alabama's first-round win over the Oklahoma Sooners. Ingram issued an apology for writing off his Alma mater.

"Listen, I was throwing the rat poison out there. Clearly, y’all heard me. We went out to Norman, and we did the job. And we’re going to do the job again in a few weeks. I go harder for Bama than anybody in the nation. I go harder for you than anybody in the nation," said Ingram on The Triple Option Podcast.

Mark Ingram is one of the greatest players in modern Alabama Crimson Tide history. Ingram won the 2009 Heisman Trophy and two national championships while playing for Nick Saban.

The Crimson Tide product then spent 12 seasons in the NFL. He's since settled into a career as a broadcaster and regularly covers his alma mater and other SEC programs.

Kalen DeBoer and Alabama aim for history in 2025 CFP

The job isn't finished for Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide. Alabama is three games away from earning its first national championship in the post-Nick Saban era.

Furthermore, Alabama could become the first SEC team to win the national championship in its current format. The Ohio State Buckeyes were the inaugural winners in 2024, and Alabama is looking to bring glory to the SEC in 2025.

Here's a list of the last 10 national football champions:

• 2024: Ohio State Buckeyes
• 2023: Michigan Wolverines
• 2022: Georgia Bulldogs
• 2021: Georgia Bulldogs
• 2020: Alabama Crimson Tide
• 2019: LSU Tigers
• 2018: Clemson Tigers
• 2017: Alabama Crimson Tide
• 2016: Clemson Tigers
• 2015: Alabama Crimson Tide

The SEC was regarded as the primary football powerhouse, with Alabama, Georgia, Texas, and Florida being regulars at the business end of the season. Kalen DeBoer's Alabama Crimson Tide are looking to keep the flag flying in the 12-team playoffs format.

So, with the Rose Bowl around the corner. Here's how to watch:

• Date: Thursday, January 1, 2026
• Time: 3 p.m. CT
• Venue: Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, California
• TV Channel: ESPN
• Livestream: FuboTV and DAZN

Edited by Nick Igbokwe