Some Alabama fans are already treating Saturday like a sure thing, but that’s not how this one looks from here. I expect the Crimson Tide to win, yet nothing about a meeting with Georgia feels easy.
Kirby Smart has built Georgia into a team that knows exactly what it is, and that kind of identity doesn’t vanish just because Alabama shows up. They may sprinkle in some trickery here and there, but mostly they line up and challenge the other team to beat them straight up.
That’s why the better approach, at least for me, is not to spend the week fixating on what Alabama might not be able to do. I’d rather focus on the things that don’t need to keep me up at night.
The quarterback situation is one of them. I’m not losing sleep over which Alabama quarterback ends up being more productive because Gunner and Keelon are such different players.
Both can absolutely help win the game. Gunner can be ruthlessly efficient, while Keelon brings the kind of explosive playmaking that can change everything in a flash.
I expect both to play well.
I’m also not going to obsess over the rushing total as the game unfolds. A Kalen DeBoer team that gets to 150 rushing yards usually doesn’t lose, but Alabama is not going to beat Georgia by trying to pound it between the tackles. The key is stretching Georgia’s defense and making it cover the field.
EJ Crowell’s workload doesn’t make the worry list either. When he’s fully ready, he’ll get plenty of carries and should shine. Until then, I’m trusting the staff to know exactly what he can handle.
Ryan Coleman-Williams’ knee? Not a concern for me, either.
Alabama football insiders said the issue was minor, and on Tuesday Ryan said its use was only precautionary. I don’t expect it to limit what he brings against Georgia.
And I’m definitely not interested in the noise about Ryan Grubb and Kane Wommack supposedly not measuring up. They’re coaches I’m glad Alabama has.
At the end of the day, this is the kind of game that should be fun to look forward to, not one to spend all week fretting over. Make your own no-worries list if you want. It might serve you pretty well, too.
In Other News...
Kirby Smart Just Validated Alabamas Identity Ahead Of Georgia
Alabama has spent the season leaning into a physical identity, and that reputation is starting to travel well beyond Tuscaloosa. Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack has repeatedly pointed to the strength of the defensive line and the groups effort as core traits for this team, a profile built as much on strain and toughness as it is on talent. That kind of image matters in a league where line play and grit usually decide whether a contender can hold up when the schedule gets heavy.
Kirby Smart reinforced that view this week ahead of Georgias meeting with Alabama, acknowledging the Crimson Tides size and physicality while also nodding to the way the roster has been built through recruiting and the transfer portal. Smart also singled out quarterback Keelon Russell for the progress he has made, a notable compliment considering how closely these teams will be studying every edge. For Alabama, the recognition is useful, but it also serves as a reminder that its identity is now clear enough for a rival to see and respect. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Defense Keeps Giving Kane Wommack A Reason To Pay Up
Kane Wommack has built a small but telling tradition around Alabamas defense, rewarding the staff with a Sunday-night dinner whenever the unit finds the end zone or posts a shutout. It is a lighthearted perk, but it also speaks to how much the coordinator values the people around him and the work that goes into producing those kinds of game-changing moments.
The latest tab came after cornerback Dijon Lee turned an interception into a touchdown against Mississippi State, another reminder that Alabamas defense has been creating reasons for Wommack to keep reaching for the check. Wommack said he appreciates the staffs hard work and the chance to sit down together, which makes the gesture feel less like a gimmick and more like part of the programs rhythm. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama-Tennessee Just Got A Twist Fans Will Be Talking About
Alabamas next trip to Knoxville is already on the calendar, and the details around the 2026 matchup with Tennessee give the Third Saturday in October some added shape. The Tide are set to visit Neyland Stadium on Oct. 17, 2026, with a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff and television information to be announced later, while the broader backdrop is the long-running history between the programs and the recent pattern of how their meetings have been handled.
What makes the scheduling note even more interesting is the jersey arrangement attached to the 2026 and 2027 games, a wrinkle fans will have plenty of time to circle. For now, though, Alabamas attention is on the present, with Georgia coming to Tuscaloosa for a home game that is expected to draw plenty of notable attendees, even as the future date with Tennessee starts to come into focus. [Read more 🡒]