Alabama keeps pretending its biggest Kalen DeBoer distraction doesn't exist

There's been a lot of noise about Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer leaving to be Michigan's next coach, and although the rumor has influenced DeBoer to release a statement and the program being hounded with questions, DeBoer and his players continue to pretend that it's not a distraction at all before playing No. 8 Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Friday night in Norman.

"I mean, of course we see it on TV, but he gave his best effort here," Bama wide receiver Ryan Williams said last week. "Focused on playing against Oklahoma, and we're not really worried about it."

Crimson Tide keep denying Kalen DeBoer noise before rematch vs Oklahoma

Williams denied it was a distraction, but was then asked three more questions about the situation. He repeated the team blocks out external noise and isn't worried about the rumor, and also mentioned that, at that point, DeBoer hadn't addressed the team about the reports. During both recent times OU players were available to media, they were asked about the playoff, a rematch against Alabama and teammates earning postseason honors. That's it -- just ball.

On Sunday, DeBoer released a full statement regarding the rumor and denied that he has spoken to any other program about a job. He repeated those same sentiments during Monday's press conference. However, it's worth noting, these are similar words that Washington fans heard in the midst of a playoff run before DeBoer left to be Bama's head coach just two years ago. Never has a coach not named Lane Kiffin blatantly made it known he was considering another job while still competing for a national title with his current team.

Despite the statement, DeBoer was still asked during Monday's press conference about the Michigan opening. He referenced the statement, then contradicted himself by claiming his job rumors weren't a distraction to his team while also praising his team for the way they handle distractions like this.

"First off, our guys handle distractions phenomenally," DeBoer said. "It's been that way all season long. They can continue to do that, but I also knew that yesterday and today were pretty important -- I wasn't gonna see you until today to address it, so that's why I put (the statement) out there."

DeBoer right there confirmed -- whether warranted or not -- that the noise of him leaving was definitely a distraction in the Alabama locker room while preparing for the Sooners.

"Our guys, if there's been any distraction, I haven't seen it, I haven't felt it, so I'm really proud of them in the way they've handled whatever noise is out there," DeBoer continued. "We've probably all season long dealt with enough noise to where it doesn't surprise me with how they've handled this."

Any noise that's loud enough, though, becomes a distraction, and this seems to be deafening as there's more talk about DeBoer leaving Bama than the fact the Crimson Tide are playing OU in the College Football Playoff.