Sophomore QB Keelon Russell suffered an ankle injury last week against LSU. While he remained in the game after a visit to the medical tent, it was clear that he was less than 100% and his availability for this game has been in question the entire week.
Kalen DeBoer called him "day to day" on Monday, and there were some early signs that the Vanderbilt game might be in the hands of Austin Mack.
Russell was listed as "probable" on each of Alabama's availability reports this week, but that has caused some confusion for Tide fans after it was reported on Thursday that Mack was expected to start.
But it's important to understand - an availability report is what it sounds like. Who is available to play? Just because Russell is available in an emergency situation doesn't mean he's fit to start. But Alabama wants to leave the door open to turn to Russell in case Mack struggles or goes down with an injury himself.
All signs point to this being Mack's game, however, as ESPN's Pete Thamel reported again on College GameDay this morning.
Austin Mack is expected to start in place of Keelon Russell against Vanderbilt
Mack being set to start shouldn't be taken as a sign that Alabama isn't taking Vanderbilt seriously. Kalen DeBoer's comments this week about the Commodores completely rebuke that. Alabama is taking Vanderbilt seriously.
That doesn't mean that Russell, with his current injury, gives Alabama the best chance to win this game. They want to avoid him having a lingering issue that prevents him from being as impactful down the stretch of the season. This is a team that plans to play football into mid-January. They can't do that without Russell.
So Russell is available today in case of emergency. The staff clearly trusts Mack and believes a 100% healthy Mack can be more effective than a compromised Russell. But they also clearly think a compromised Russell gives them a better chance than third-string freshman QB Jett Thomalla at this stage, which is why he won't be ruled out of this game.
Mack has been waiting for this opportunity for four years. The staff has praised Mack consistently, and they believe he can play winning football for this team. If you believe what DeBoer and Ryan Grubb said in the preseason, Mack was neck-and-neck with Russell in the QB competition during fall camp until the second scrimmage, when Russell separated himself.
The spotlight will be on Mack in Nashville. It's an opportunity for him to showcase himself to other programs that will be in need of a quarterback this offseason.
It's also a critical spot for Alabama, which cannot afford a November slip-up to a .500 team that would deal a significant blow to the Crimson Tide's College Football Playoff hopes.
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