Among SEC quarterbacks, Alabama's Keelon Russell is fairly ranked as the SEC's eighth-best quarterback. No Crimson Tide fan believes that ranking would be fair to Russell by season's end.
A concern for Alabama is that four opposing QBs rank higher than Keelon. The recent rankings source is David Cobb, writing for CBS Sports. His Top 50 CFB quarterbacks include 10 SEC quarterbacks. Not included are Oklahoma's John Mateer, who was previously ranked No. 22. Others not included are Auburn's Byrum Brown and South Carolina's LaNorriss Sellers, along with Kentucky, Vanderbilt, and Arkansas quarterbacks.
Cobb ranks Keelon No. 35. Cobb is not ranking on potential, and Keelon's shaky performance in Lexington warrants his current ranking.
The only SEC QB ranked below Russell in the Top 50 is LSU's 'doubtful' Sam Leavitt. Leavitt dropped from No. 2 last week to No. 43. LSU claims that Leavitt has a sore shoulder and is doubtful for Saturday night's Ole Miss game. Throngs of college football fans believe a doubtful Leavitt is more Lane Kiffin deceit.
Will an Alabama opponent 'out-quarterback' Keelon?
In the CBS Top 50, Georgia's Gunner Stockton ranks No. 7, Mississippi State's Kamario Taylor at No. 8, Texas A&M's Marcel Reed at No. 28, and Tennessee's Faizon Brandon at No. 32.
Stockton's reputation is established and earned. Marcel Reed has shown the ability to win big games for the Aggies. Kamario Taylor is a fast-rising QB who moved up from No. 16 last week. Taylor's game performances show a dangerous dual-threat QB adept at decision-making. Less experienced than Keelon, Faizon is similar to Russell in showing flashes of brilliance.
When comparing Keelon and Kamario Taylor, it is noteworthy that the defenses Russell has faced are ranked much higher than the ones Taylor has played against this season: ULM and Minnesota.
Clearly, Gunner Stockton is a threat to the Crimson Tide, even with the game in Tuscaloosa. Taylor and Brandon playing the Crimson Tide with home-field advantage is a legitimate cause for concern.
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