Alabama heads into Baton Rouge with plenty on the line, and Kalen DeBoer’s message to Keelon Russell was centered on keeping the moment from getting too big.
The Crimson Tide and LSU both carry two losses into Saturday’s matchup, so the stakes are clear: the loser could be in serious jeopardy of missing the College Football Playoff. And for Alabama, the challenge gets even sharper with Russell dealing with another tough road setting in Death Valley.
Asked Monday what he told his quarterback before this latest trip, DeBoer pointed to the value of experience and composure.
“I think it’s just learning from what you’ve been through. It’s not just a road environment that we’ve been in,” DeBoer said.
“It’s all the experiences that you’ve been through to this point in the season. Understanding down-and-distance situation.
Understanding how each game - there’s ebbs and flows. But you just got to stay steady and give yourself a chance to see the next play, right?
Russell has flashed big-time ability this season, but his road consistency has been an issue at times. One of the rougher examples came against Tennessee, when he went 19 of 29 for 147 yards with two interceptions and took five sacks.
DeBoer said that part of Russell’s growth is learning when to create and when to settle in, while still trusting the talent that makes him dangerous.
“I think that’s, again, something that continues to improve at,” DeBoer said. “I think the number of plays that you see continue to drop when it comes to those times where he’s trying to do too much or trying to create but also balancing that out with the abilities that he has to go do some special things, but that will come to him because he’s that type of player.”
November is here, and that means every result starts to shape the playoff picture. Alabama and LSU kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
In Other News...
LSU Just Got A Stark Reminder About SEC Eligibility Rules
Missouri is dealing with an eligibility issue that doubles as a warning shot for the rest of the SEC. Guard CJ Gunn has been ruled ineligible by the conference after signing a professional contract and receiving payment to play in the Canadian Elite Basketball League, a move that runs afoul of the leagues rule on college basketball players who turn pro after enrolling.
Coach Dennis Gates confirmed the ruling and said there is no appeal, leaving Missouri without a path to get Gunn back on the floor through conference channels. The timing also shuts the door on the G League draft, a reminder that these eligibility questions can quickly spill beyond one roster and into a much wider set of consequences for teams trying to navigate the modern college game. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Could Be Getting An Important Frontcourt Boost Sooner Than Expected
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Morro brings a veteran presence to the Tigers after a career that included professional experience in Spain and international play for Spanish national teams before arriving in Baton Rouge. For LSU, getting her back into the mix would add depth and experience inside at a time when every healthy body matters, and the next step will be seeing how quickly she can work back into game shape once she is cleared. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Enters CFP Ranking Debate With Plenty On The Line
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For LSU, the number attached to that first ranking matters less than the message it sends about how the committee views the resume to this point. The Tigers have plenty left to sort out, and this opening snapshot will help frame just how much ground they still need to cover if they want to stay in the playoff discussion as November unfolds. [Read more 🡒]