Overview

• Coach Kalen DeBoer confirmed Jah‑Marien Latham is out for the season with a neck injury but expected to fully recover, and said starting OLB Qua Russaw broke his foot at Georgia and will miss extended time after surgery.
• Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack said Alabama will get creative with personnel, with Yhonzae Pierre projected to start and true freshman Justin Hill taking on a bigger role ahead of hosting No. 16 Vanderbilt.
• Analysts note Alabama’s next steps are a consistency test, with USA TODAY arguing wins over Vanderbilt and Missouri are needed to validate the Tide’s 24-21 victory at Georgia.
• Auburn hit the bye at 0-2 in SEC play following a 16-10 loss at Texas A&M that featured an 0-for-13 showing on third down and frequent third-and-long situations driven by penalties, sacks and an ineffective run game.
• Penn State’s 30-24 double-overtime loss to Oregon intensified scrutiny of James Franklin’s record in marquee games, even as the coach said he won’t let one defeat define the season before a trip to UCLA.