Earlier this week, USA TODAY Sports' John Adams and Blake Toppmeyer shared their thoughts on a preseason top 25 list put forth by Athlon Sports only a few weeks ago. Steven Lassan's article for Athlon Sports prominently featured eight SEC teams. As Adams and Toppmeyer went back and forth dissecting if Lassan was too hot, too cold, or just right on these SEC teams, Alabama caught our eye.
Lassan had Alabama slotted in at No. 15, behind Georgia (No. 2), Texas (No. 3), Oklahoma (No. 8), Texas A&M (No. 9), LSU (No. 10), and Ole Miss (No. 11), but ahead of Tennessee (No. 21). While Adams felt the Crimson Tide were properly rated at No. 15, it is what Toppmeyer had to say about Alabama that has us thinking. He is seeing the big picture of why this team could definitely be underrated.
Toppmeyer has been heaping praise on Keelon Russell all offseason long, and that is not changing.
"Underrated. I’m buying into redshirt freshman Keelon Russell’s upside," Toppmeyer wrote. "If I’m wrong, the Tide will be overrated. If I’m right, they’re underrated."
Toppmeyer hit on the exact point many college football analysts are missing, including Joel Klatt... Alabama will go as far as Russell will take them. His upside as a former five-star recruit is off the charts. The Duncanville, Texas native came to Tuscaloosa to play for Kalen DeBoer and in Ryan Grubb's system. He saw from afar what those coaches did with Michael Penix Jr. at Washington.
Russell has both the talent and the right mindset to lead this Alabama program to the promised land.
Keelon Russell has the potential to make Alabama doubters look foolish
Let's be honest. It is entirely up to DeBoer and his staff to decide who will win the Alabama quarterback battle between Russell and Austin Mack. DeBoer has a proven track record of picking the right guy over and over again. Whether it be Ty Simpson last year, Jalen Milroe two years ago, or Penix four years at Washington, DeBoer has earned the benefit of the doubt over his assessments.
However, Russell has the potential upside and possibly the consistency to beat out Mack for this starting job. If that does prove to be the case, Russell could win that extra game Mack may not be able to. Alabama may have a high enough floor, but the team does offer some level of variance coming into this fall. Quarterback play can take it places, but the offensive line remains a big concern.
Right now, if you are going to buy into Alabama for this season, it has to be because you believe in Russell's talent and what all he can do in this offensive system. It has proven to be a scheme that rewards the high-upside player. Whether you have a howitzer like Penix, run like a gazelle like Milroe, or offer pinpoint accuracy like Simpson, DeBoer's offense accentuates his quarterbacks' strengths.
Read more: Alabama's necessary improvement on the offensive line may hinge on this one player
Overall, DeBoer and his staff have to know what is riding on this season. Getting back to the playoffs was great and all, but Alabama is all about winning championships. Mack could get this team back into the playoffs, but Russell could be the one to raise another national title banner. Alabama has a manageable schedule to endure the growing pains from its new starter. Hand Russell the car keys.
At this juncture, optimism in Alabama football and belief in Russell mostly feel like one and the same.
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