Alabama’s tight end room could get a major piece back just in time for Saturday night’s showdown with Georgia.
Pete Thamel reported during ESPN’s “College GameDay” that Josh Ford is expected to play when No. 6 Alabama hosts No.
2 Georgia in Tuscaloosa. Ford broke his arm in the first quarter against Mississippi State, but he stayed in the game and later had surgery Sunday.
Thamel said, “He’s practiced this week,” and added, “It’s hard to oversate his value in the run game.”
Ford arrived at Alabama this season after spending two years at Oklahoma State in his hometown of Stillwater, and he has been on the field in every game so far. He’s also been a key part of Alabama’s dominant tight end group.
Kalen DeBoer sounded upbeat Wednesday, though he stopped short of calling Ford fully locked in. “We’ll kind of see how the week continues for him,” the Alabama coach said.
“I know where his mindset is at. Just got to make sure he meets the levels he needs to meet as far as being physically ready.
He’s doing a great job. It’s going well.
We’re optimistic.”
There was also good news and bad news for Georgia’s backfield. Nate Frazier is set to return after dealing with bruised rubs, while Chauney Bowens is out.
Bowens has rushed for six touchdowns and added another score as a receiver, while piling up 124 yards on 35 carries for a 3.5-yard average. Frazier, meanwhile, has 26 carries for 211 yards and five rushing touchdowns.
Florida receiver Vernell Brown III is a game-time decision because of a knee injury.
At Tennessee, the quarterback situation is settled for now: George MacIntyre will start against Arkansas after Faizon Brandon injured his shoulder last week against Texas.
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Georgia Heads To Alabama With A New Problem On Both Sides
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For Alabama, that adds another layer to a game already shaped by availability and depth, especially against a Georgia group trying to piece together its rotation on the fly. The injury report leaves the Bulldogs with multiple names off the board heading into one of the seasons most watched SEC matchups, and it is a reminder that the margin in games like this often starts well before kickoff. [Read more 🡒]
Saban Just Raised The Stakes For Alabama Against Georgia
The buildup to Alabama-Georgia already had all the ingredients of a marquee October matchup, and Nick Saban did little to cool it off this week. With both teams sitting at 5-0, the Crimson Tide and Bulldogs are headed into a game that carries the feel of an early measuring stick for the SEC and the national picture, especially with Georgia coming in as the defending standard after last seasons championship-level run.
Sabans praise for Georgia only sharpens the intrigue, since he called the Bulldogs one of the most complete teams in the country and acknowledged how dominant they have been so far. Alabama also has recent history to answer for, after Georgia beat the Tide 28-7 in the SEC Championship, so this meeting has the makings of more than just another high-end showdown. It is another chance for Alabama to show where it stands against the team that has set the tone in the conference. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Is Sending A Clear Message About EJ Crowells Slow Start
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So far, the usage has reflected that approach, with Crowell getting a limited role while Alabama sorts out how to bring him along without rushing the process. He has already flashed enough to show why the staff is encouraged, but the larger message from the coaches is that the slow start is about development, not doubt. For a player with his upside, the next step is less about forcing the issue and more about waiting for the right time to let it come together. [Read more 🡒]