Alabama won’t be short on attention for long, but right now Rece Davis sees the Crimson Tide in a spot that doesn’t usually fit the program’s image.
On the “College GameDay Podcast,” Davis said Alabama is being overlooked in the SEC, even with the kind of talent that keeps the Crimson Tide in the conversation every year.
"We've talked about Alabama flying under the radar, and that's true," Davis said. "That will only last until their first big win or their first big loss."
That’s the reality around Kalen DeBoer’s team heading into 2026. Alabama is coming off an 11-4 season that included an SEC Championship Game appearance and a trip to the College Football Playoff in DeBoer’s second year. It was a step forward from a 9-4 debut, but in Tuscaloosa, that kind of progress doesn’t erase the expectation that championships are the standard.
The biggest storyline is under center, where Alabama is turning to former five-star Keelon Russell as its starter. He has only appeared in two games so far, going 11-of-15 for 143 yards and two touchdowns. He won the job over Austin Mack, who has been with DeBoer since the 2023 season when DeBoer was at Washington, but also brings limited experience.
That makes Russell the key variable in everything Alabama wants to do. He has the talent to become a star, but the Tide are asking him to grow up fast. Early-season games will matter a lot because they’ll show whether he can settle in quickly and give Alabama the offensive balance it needs to hang with the SEC’s best.
The good news for DeBoer is that the defense should help ease the load. Alabama is expected to be strong on that side of the ball again, with what is described as arguably the best secondary in college football. The bigger concern is the running game, which was the worst among playoff teams last season and needs to improve if the offense is going to take pressure off the new quarterback.
So even with plenty of questions, Alabama still has the kind of roster that can win big. That’s why Davis’ point lands: the Crimson Tide may not be drawing the same preseason buzz as some other SEC contenders, but one big result - good or bad - will put them right back at the center of the conversation.
In Other News...
Keelon Russell's First Alabama Season Comes With One Clear Warning
Keelon Russells first Alabama season is already being viewed through a careful lens, and for good reason. The Crimson Tide have a chance to bring along a quarterback with real dual-threat ability, but the challenge is making sure that talent is developed in a way that helps the offense instead of asking the offense to survive on his shoulders. Alabamas staff can learn plenty by looking at how Texas handled Arch Manning in his first year as a starter, especially when it comes to striking the right balance between patience and production.
For Alabama, the warning is less about Russells ceiling than about the temptation to rush him into carrying too much too soon. The lesson from Mannings experience is that a young quarterback needs room to grow naturally, an attack that fits what he does well, and enough structure around him that every snap is not a referendum on his development. How Alabama applies those ideas in 2026 could shape not just Russells first season, but the direction of the offense around him. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Could Suddenly Face A Former Tide Return Decision
A federal ruling on college football eligibility could ripple far beyond the courtroom and straight into roster planning, and Alabama is among the programs having to pay attention. The decision involving the 2022 high school class opens the door for a fifth season in 2026-27, creating another layer of uncertainty for coaches already trying to map out scholarships, depth charts and long-term personnel decisions.
Kalen DeBoer acknowledged the Tide are monitoring the situation, but there is no clear answer yet on how it will affect Alabamas future plans. The twist for a roster already built around constant movement is that eligibility shifts like this can change who is available, who can return and which positions may suddenly need to be rethought, even before the offseason really starts to take shape. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama's QB Decision Just Changed The Tide's Outlook
The quarterback battle in Tuscaloosa finally has a name attached to it, and it comes with immediate implications for Alabamas season opener against East Carolina on Sept. 5. Kalen DeBoer has settled on Keelon Russell as the starter, closing the door on a competition with Austin Mack and giving the Crimson Tide a clearer picture of how the offense will be built in the early going.
Now the focus shifts from the decision itself to what it means for Alabamas ceiling, and thats where the outside evaluations start to matter. Analyst Josh Pate and quarterbacks coach Bryan Ellis both weighed in on Russells skill set and why the staff landed where it did, leaving the Tide with a fresh sense of direction and just enough intrigue about how quickly the new starter can make the job look comfortable. [Read more 🡒]