Austin Mack may get the kind of Saturday he’s been waiting for at Alabama.
With Keelon Russell nursing an ankle injury from the Crimson Tide’s win over LSU and listed as day-to-day, Kalen DeBoer left the door open Monday for Mack to see the field against Vanderbilt. If that happens, it could amount to a real showcase for the junior quarterback - and maybe a preview of his next stop.
Russell won the starting job in camp over Mack, and the decision has paid off for Alabama. He’s guided the Crimson Tide to a 7-2 record through nine games and has repeatedly delivered in the clutch, including another second-half rally last Saturday against LSU. But the injury situation could change the script this weekend, and Alabama may decide it doesn’t need to push Russell against the Commodores.
That would put Mack in position to handle the offense, and he’s not short on tools. He came to Tuscaloosa with DeBoer in 2024 after being a five-star recruit for him at Washington, and at 6-foot-6 with tremendous arm strength, he still has the look of a quarterback worth watching.
The issue has always been opportunity. Mack has thrown just 39 passes in his college career, which has kept him from showing much in game action. Still, the talent has never been in question, and many had him pegged as the favorite to win Alabama’s quarterback job heading into 2026 before Russell’s mobility swung the battle in his favor.
Given Russell’s edge and the shaky Crimson Tide offensive line, that mobility has mattered. Mack may no longer carry the same buzz he once did, but he remains an intriguing passer, and if he gets the start Saturday, quarterback-needy teams around the country will be paying close attention.
In Other News...
Jessie Dimaro Gave Virginia Tech Fans A Night They Wont Forget
Virginia Techs womens basketball team finally got its first road win of the 2026-27 season at VCU, and Jessie Dimaro made sure it came with plenty of noise. The Hokies won 77-66 behind a monster night from Dimaro, who piled up 23 points while setting new program records with 17 offensive rebounds and 24 total rebounds. It was the kind of performance that changes the feel of a game, especially away from home, where second chances can swing everything.
The victory also came with a milestone for Megan Duffy, who picked up her 200th career win as a head coach. For Virginia Tech, it was more than just a clean result in an early road test. It was a reminder that the Hokies can win in different ways, and that Dimaros presence on the glass gives this team a very real edge when the margin starts to tighten. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Tech Just Got An Early Glimpse Of This Teams Ceiling
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Dimaro set a program record with 23 points and 24 rebounds, the kind of inside presence that changes the feel of a game on both ends. Carleigh Wenzel shook off a slow start to finish with 11 points, Alyssa Latham added 19 points and five rebounds, and Anyia Trent chipped in with 10 rebounds, giving Virginia Tech a deeper picture of a roster that already looks capable of making life difficult for opponents. [Read more 🡒]
Virginia Tech Could Get A Huge O-Line Boost This Weekend
Justin Terrys return could give Virginia Tech a timely lift up front, and the latest update suggests the left tackle is moving in the right direction. Head coach James Franklin said Terry practiced fully for the first time since suffering a leg injury in Week 3, a sign that the Hokies may be getting closer to having their offensive line intact again.
Franklin also said Terry is ahead of schedule, but his status for the upcoming game is still up in the air and could come down to a game-time decision. If he is able to go, Virginia Tech would be close to full strength along the offensive line, a welcome development for a unit that has been waiting on one of its key pieces to come back. [Read more 🡒]