Greg McElroy isn’t seeing another Vanderbilt shocker in Nashville.
The former Alabama quarterback, who once ran Nick Saban’s offense and knows this rivalry from the inside, weighed in on Saturday’s Week 11 matchup on his Always College Football podcast earlier this week. His read was clear: Alabama should handle its business when the Crimson Tide meet the Commodores at 12:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
McElroy called for a 38-17 Alabama win and said he expects the Tide to cover the 17.5-point spread. His confidence comes with Alabama sitting at 7-2 overall and 5-2 in the SEC, riding a two-game winning streak and still keeping its College Football Playoff hopes alive. The margin for error is thin, but McElroy sees a team that has settled in heading into the road trip.
Vanderbilt, meanwhile, is still searching for answers in the first season after Diego Pavia. The Commodores are 4-5 overall and 1-5 in SEC play, and McElroy pointed to the challenge of keeping pace with Alabama’s offense if the game turns into a track meet.
“I’m taking Alabama to win the game, 38-17,” McElroy said. “I think they’ll cover that (betting) number of 17.5 (points). Vanderbilt’s splits gives them a puncher’s chance, but Alabama’s quarterback (Keelon Russell) has been punching back with 40-yard passes all season.”
For Vanderbilt to have a real shot, McElroy said the Commodores need to drag the game into a slower rhythm and limit Alabama’s chances with the ball.
“Alabama finishes drives, and Vanderbilt gives away possessions,” added McElroy, who’s not buying into any nonsense going down on Saturday afternoon in the form of another shocking upset in the Music City.
The matchup does bring a little history with it. Vanderbilt beat Alabama in the same stadium two years ago, and Alabama was No. 1 when it took that loss. McElroy, though, doesn’t expect a repeat of that scene this time around.
In Other News...
Alabama Just Got The Keelon Russell News Fans Needed
Alabamas quarterback situation got a little clearer this week, and that matters for a Vanderbilt defense that is preparing to see one of the SECs most dangerous teams come to town. Freshman Keelon Russell was banged up in the win over LSU, but he still managed to put together a big night, accounting for 216 total yards and three touchdowns as the Crimson Tide kept rolling.
The early availability report now points toward Russell being on track for Saturdays trip to Nashville, which is the kind of update Alabama wanted as it tries to stay on course for a College Football Playoff berth. The Tide are sitting at No. 3 nationally and close to locking in a spot, so any sign their young quarterback can keep moving the offense is a welcome one as the stakes keep rising. [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 🡒]