Overview
- Keelon Russell injured his ankle during Alabama’s road win at LSU on Nov. 7 and finished that game but has been held out of the start to let the ankle heal.
- Coaches announced that Austin Mack is expected to take the opening snap for the Nov. 14 game at FirstBank Stadium with Russell listed as probable and available as a substitute.
- Mack is a fourth-year senior who followed coach Kalen DeBoer from Washington and will make his first career start after limited in-game work at Alabama.
- Mack’s limited Alabama snaps include 29-of-39 passing for 290 yards and three touchdowns in prior seasons and a 3-of-4 line for 23 yards this year, which could spark transfer-portal interest if he performs well.
- Alabama, ranked No. 3 in the CFP at 7-2 (5-2 SEC), is balancing short-term game risk at Vanderbilt with preserving Russell for the SEC race and College Football Playoff push.