Coming off a massive win in Baton Rouge for its College Football Playoff hopes, Alabama will now head to Nashville this week to face Vanderbilt in a classic letdown spot. Kalen DeBoer knows all about a Nashville hangover.
DeBoer and Alabama were stunned by Vanderbilt two years ago, a week after taking down No. 1 Georgia in Tuscaloosa. They'll be looking to avoid a similar fate in 2026.
Unfortunately, it looks like Alabama will have to navigate the road trip without star QB Keelon Russell. ESPN's Pete Thamel reported on Friday that Austin Mack was expected to start over Russell, who injured his ankle during the third quarter of the Tide's win over LSU last week. He has been listed as "probable" on Alabama's availability reports this week, and while he is likely to be available to play, it will be in case of emergency.
This is Mack's game.
The senior QB has sat back and waited for this opportunity in Tuscaloosa for three years, and now it has arrived. He'll look to make the most of it and keep the Crimson Tide's playoff hopes afloat.
Against a Vanderbilt defense that has struggled against the run, this would be an opportune moment for Trae'shawn Brown, Daniel Hill, and hopefully EJ Crowell to have big days to alleviate the burden off Mack in his first career start.
A strong day by Alabama's defense would also be quite helpful.
Betting odds for Alabama at Vanderbilt
Odds courtesy of FanDuel as of 5am ET on Saturday.
Spread: Alabama -14.5
Over/Under: 47.5
Moneyline: Alabama -650/Vanderbilt +480
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Alabama vs. Vanderbilt game predictions
Playing without Russell complicates matters for the Crimson Tide, but this is still a game Alabama should be able to win comfortably. Kalen DeBoer has cautioned fans and media all week that this Vanderbilt team is better than anyone seems to believe. He's not wrong; they are an SEC opponent and fully capable of making life difficult.
But if Alabama plays up to the standard it is capable of, this should be a multi-score win even with Mack leading the charge at QB.
This isn't a true freshman starting on the road. This is a senior who has been in the program for three years and in DeBoer's system for four years. He's ready for this moment.
Look for Alabama's ground game to get going, the defense to be stifling, and Mack to play more than well enough or the Crimson Tide to avoid the upset in Nashville.
John Mitchell: Alabama 28, Vanderbilt 10
Ron Evans: Alabama 34, Vanderbilt 14
Trevion Ware: Alabama 32, Vanderbilt 18
Dominic Giacobazzi: Alabama 52, Vanderbilt 24
Kyra Madore: Alabama 24, Vanderbilt 14
Shea Shockley: Alabama 38, Vanderbilt 10
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