Alabama got the kind of update it wanted on Keelon Russell before heading to Vanderbilt.
The freshman quarterback is listed as “probable” for Saturday’s matchup with the Commodores, according to the SEC’s initial availability report. That lines up with what Alabama saw last weekend, when Russell played through an injury against LSU and still turned in a sharp performance in the Crimson Tide’s 31-13 win.
Even with the issue, Russell was productive in Death Valley. He finished with 216 total yards and three touchdowns, and Alabama never needed him to carry the offense by himself. In a game that could have gotten messy, his calm presence helped keep the Tide steady.
Russell did spend time in the injury tent during the contest against the Bayou Bengals, but he stayed in the game and kept Alabama on track in one of college football’s toughest road environments. That mattered in a big way as the Crimson Tide picked up a statement win.
Alabama is sitting at No. 3 in the country and has all but locked up a College Football Playoff berth with three weeks left in the regular season. A third loss would still presumably leave the Tide near the back end of the field, but for now the focus shifts to Vanderbilt, where kickoff is set for 12:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
The availability report also listed Zabien Brown, EJ Crowell, Chuck McDonald, and William Sanders as probable. Reserve defensive lineman Mhari Johnson, a freshman, is out.
In Other News...
Vanderbilt Faces A Brutal Alabama Reality Ahead Of SEC Test
Greg McElroy is not leaving much room for suspense heading into Alabamas trip to face Vanderbilt. The former Crimson Tide quarterback and current analyst laid out his view on his podcast, pointing to Alabamas offense as the kind of engine that can create separation quickly, while also noting the Commodores issues with turnovers as a major concern in a matchup like this.
For Vanderbilt, the challenge is less about style points and more about finding a way to make the game feel smaller. McElroy said the Commodores would need to keep Alabama from getting too many chances, which is the sort of formula that can keep an underdog alive for a while. Whether Vanderbilt can actually force that kind of game is the central question hanging over a SEC test that already looks steep on paper. [Read more 🡒]
Vanderbilt Faces A Roster Concern Ahead Of Another Alabama Test
Vanderbilts next challenge arrives Saturday morning at FirstBank Stadium, when No. 3 Alabama comes to town for an 11:45 a.m. CT kickoff on SEC Network. Before the matchup, the Commodores released their initial injury report, and it already gives a clearer picture of the roster situation heading into another difficult SEC test.
The list includes EDGE rusher Edwin Kolenge and offensive lineman Ted Gregoire among those out, along with several other players already sidelined by season-ending injuries. On the positive side, Vanderbilt does not have anyone tagged as doubtful, questionable or probable for the game, leaving the status sheet relatively straightforward even as the depth chart takes another hit. [Read more 🡒]
Vanderbilt Faces An Alabama Week Distraction Fans Didn't See Coming
Vanderbilt is dealing with an unwelcome off-field headache this week as the university works through a ransomware attack tied to the BYOD group, one that has affected computer systems and cloud services across campus. Administrators are trying to keep essential operations moving, with payroll and public safety among the priorities, while some services such as email and campus Wi-Fi have already been brought back online.
For Clark Lea and the football program, the timing is far from ideal with Alabama on deck, but preparations have continued with minimal disruption. The Commodores have been able to keep their focus on the game plan even as the schools broader recovery effort continues, a reminder that the football team can sometimes feel insulated from campus chaos until the ripple effects start to show up in the smallest ways. [Read more 🡒]