No. 6 Alabama does not just need its headline names to show up against No.
2 Georgia on Saturday night in Tuscaloosa. In a game this big, the difference often comes from the players who are not supposed to decide it - the ones who can tilt a few snaps, a few drives, maybe the whole night.
Keelon Russell’s performance will obviously matter a lot. If he protects the ball and plays well, Alabama will be a tough out. But the Crimson Tide will also need help from a few lesser-mentioned pieces, and there are four players who could wind up shaping this matchup in a big way.
EJ Crowell is the clearest candidate to do damage in a limited role. The freshman’s workload has been a talking point after he got only three carries against Mississippi State, and Ryan Grubb addressed that on Monday by saying Crowell is still learning and does not yet have a full grasp of his offensive responsibilities.
That hasn’t stopped him from being one of Alabama’s most explosive runners when he gets the chance. Crowell leads the team with 7.8 yards per carry, and he has ripped off a run of 29-plus yards in three straight games.
Last week against Mississippi State, he broke three tackles on a 37-yard burst. Against a Georgia defense that will be tough to run on, Alabama will need that kind of contact balance and tackle-breaking ability just to keep the offense on track.
He is not going to get 20 touches, but 10 feels realistic.
Jay Lindsey is another name worth watching, even if he is technically buried in the tight end pecking order behind Kaleb Edwards, Marshall Pritchett, Josh Ford and Danny Lewis Jr. The reality is that Alabama has leaned on its tight ends enough that Lindsey has already carved out a meaningful role.
He started last week against Mississippi State and lined up as the fullback in the I-formation on Alabama’s first offensive snap. His role could grow again against Georgia, especially with Ford rumored to be dealing with an injury.
Ford should be considered questionable at best for this weekend, and the availability report tonight should tell more of the story. If Ford is unavailable or limited, Lindsey’s blocking becomes even more important.
Noah Rogers could also be due for a bigger slice of the offense. The NC State transfer has three catches for 55 yards over his first two games, though his playing time did not really ramp up until the game was already out of hand in Starkville.
This matchup may call for more from him. Alabama is going to need to threaten Georgia vertically, and Lotzeir Brooks can do that.
Ryan Coleman-Williams also has the ability, but a knee injury has him dealing with some limitations, and he wore a bulky brace last week against Mississippi State. Rogers brings the size and speed to be a vertical threat, and that could matter if Coleman-Williams is not close to full strength.
Then there is Xavier Griffin, who made his presence felt against Mississippi State. The 5-star freshman linebacker led Alabama with nine tackles and picked up his first career sack. He also got to Kamario Taylor twice, recording half a sack on each play.
With Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu still out, Griffin should have another chance to matter against Georgia. He is set to get edge snaps, but he will also keep seeing more work at off-ball linebacker as he continues to settle in.
In Other News...
Kirby Smart Just Validated Alabamas Identity Ahead Of Georgia
Alabama has spent this season leaning into a tougher, more physical identity, and that shows up first in the way defensive coordinator Kane Wommack talks about his group. The front has become a central part of the Tides calling card, with the defensive lines size and effort helping set the tone for what Alabama wants to be every week.
Ahead of Georgia, Kirby Smart offered a clear nod to that approach, pointing to Alabamas physicality, size and the way the roster has been built through recruiting and the transfer portal. He also singled out quarterback Keelon Russell for the progress he has made, a sign that Georgia is seeing more than just a bruising defense when it studies Alabama. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Is Right In The Middle Of A Growing SEC Stadium Debate
As more NFL teams move toward new stadiums with full roofs or domes, the conversation around Southeastern football has started to heat up in a different way. Plans like the one tied to Nashvilles Nissan Stadium reflect a broader trend in which comfort matters, but the bigger draw is business: a building that can host far more than football and keep bringing in revenue from concerts and other events.
That backdrop has Alabama right in the middle of a growing SEC debate about what kind of stadium future makes the most sense. Some schools and cities can dream about domes, but the costs and market realities can make those ideas hard to pull off, and there is still plenty of disagreement over whether football should ever be played inside one in the first place. [Read more 🡒]
Aden Holloways Return Comes With An Early Alabama Setback
Aden Holloways return gives Alabama another piece to work with for the 2026-27 season, but it will not come without an early hitch. The guard will have to sit out the first five games, a stretch that includes three exhibition contests and the first two regular-season games, after a case tied to marijuana-related felony charges was resolved through a second-chance program.
Greg Byrne said Holloway accepted responsibility and took the steps required to move forward, including community service, screenings and fines. For Alabama, the arrangement means Holloway can still be part of the programs long-term plans, even if the opening portion of the schedule will go by without him on the floor. [Read more 🡒]