Alabama’s offense is heading into Saturday’s trip to Knoxville with a major hole up the middle.
Center Racin Delgatty was downgraded to out on the Friday night SEC injury report for the Crimson Tide’s showdown at No. 14 Tennessee, a 3:30 p.m.
ET kickoff on ABC. The high-profile transfer from Cal Poly had won the starting center job in fall camp and spent the first half of his first season in Tuscaloosa helping steady Alabama’s offensive line.
But Delgatty took a knee injury on the final offensive play of last week’s loss to Georgia, and the issue has now cost him Week 7. When the third SEC availability report of the week came out Friday night, his status moved to out, leaving No. 6 Alabama without one of the key pieces in its offensive structure against its rival.
If Delgatty can’t go, sophomore Mal Waldrep Jr. could be the next man up at center for the Crimson Tide on Saturday.
Alabama is also missing star wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams against the Volunteers. Tight end Josh Ford was added to Friday’s injury report and is listed as questionable.
There is at least some reason for optimism on Ford. He was listed as questionable last week before the Georgia game after breaking his arm, then still managed to play against the Bulldogs.
Even so, Alabama’s task in the trenches just became tougher. Without its starting center, the Tide will have to adjust quickly in a hostile spot against Tennessee. Here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about Alabama’s chances to overcome its key absences in Week 7 and still rebound with a victory:
In Other News...
Nick Saban Backed Alabama But His GameDay Warning Stood Out
ESPNs College GameDay spent part of its pregame spotlight laying out the weekend board, with Pat McAfee, Steve Young, Nick Saban, Desmond Howard and Kirk Herbstreit each making their official picks and weighing the strengths and concerns around several marquee matchups. The discussion ranged from BYU over Notre Dame, a choice McAfee and Young both backed, to the SEC showcase in Knoxville, where Alabama was the preferred pick for most of the panel.
Saban did stick with the Crimson Tide in that one, but his commentary carried a different kind of edge than a simple pick sheet endorsement. As the crew worked through the game, the former Alabama coachs warning about what could decide the outcome stood out, a reminder that even when he believes in his old team, he is still quick to point out the sort of challenge that can turn a big Saturday into a stressful one. [Read more 🡒]
Nick Saban Sees One Real Threat In Alabama's Trip To Neyland
The build-up to Alabamas trip to Neyland Stadium has plenty of familiar edge, but Nick Saban pointed to one area that could matter most when the No. 6 Crimson Tide meet No. 16 Tennessee in Week 7. On College GameDay, the former Alabama coach broke down the Volunteers defensive strengths and highlighted a unit that can limit scoring, defend the pass and get after the quarterback, all traits that can disrupt an offenses rhythm in a hurry.
For Alabama, that means the usual SEC road-game questions are suddenly about more than noise and history. If Tennessee can force the Tide into longer drives and tougher third-down situations, the game could turn into a far tighter battle over possessions than rankings suggest, with the Volunteer defense shaping the kind of afternoon Alabama gets at one of the conferences most demanding venues. [Read more 🡒]
Kalen DeBoer Knows Whats Threatening Alabama In Knoxville
At halftime in Knoxville, Alabama finds itself locked in a tight, physical game with Tennessee, trailing 12-10 despite a first-half showing that has kept the Crimson Tide within reach on the road. The difference has been small but meaningful, with kicker Cooper Ranvier accounting for four field goals for the Vols while Alabama has had to lean on a defense that has bent without fully breaking.
Kalen DeBoer pointed to the same issues that have shaped the half for both sides: turnovers on offense and the pressure of a game being played with very little room for error. Keelon Russell has had his struggles with the ball, even as he provided Alabamas only touchdown, and the Tide defense has managed to force Tennessee into field goals rather than seven points while still being outgained overall. [Read more 🡒]