The betting odds for this weekend's Alabama/Vanderbilt game have fluctuated greatly.
On Sunday, Alabama opened as a 19-5-point favorite. But amid concerns about star QB Keelon Russell's availability, the spread plummeted down to 15.5. A four-point swing is dramatic, for those who don't follow these things closely.
That drop came amid comments from Kalen DeBoer about Russell being "day to day" on Monday and talk of confidence in backup QB Austin Mack. But all that concern appears to be for naught.
On Wednesday night, the SEC's availability reports were released, and Russell was listed as "probable" by Alabama. That points to Russell starting this weekend in Nashville.
Sharps have taken notice.
As of early Thursday morning, the spread is back on the rise. According to FanDuel, Alabama is back up to a 17.5-point favorite.
(Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.)
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Russell suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter of Alabama's 31-13 win over LSU on Saturday. He initially went to the injury tent after a third-quarter drive, and backup Austin Mack started warming up. It looked for a brief moment that Mack might be called upon to lead the Crimson Tide home.
But Russell emerged from the tent with Alabama trailing 13-10 and quickly led the offense down the field for a go-ahead touchdown to give the Crimson Tide a lead it wouldn't relinquish.
Russell gutted out the injury to lead Alabama to the win in Baton Rouge, but there was some initial concern this week about whether he would be able to give it a go this weekend in Nashville. Wednesday night brought the clarity Tide fans – and those with a monetary interest in the game – needed.
Some fans believed that it made sense to rest Russell this week and next against Chattanooga to get him back to 100% for the Iron Bowl. But DeBoer learned a harsh lesson in a road game against Vanderbilt two years ago. There was never a chance he wasn't going to take this game seriously, and if Russell could play, he was always going to be out there.
There are no weeks off in the SEC, regardless of opponent. Alabama may be a hefty favorite against Vanderbilt, but the Commodores are capable of making this game dicey if the Crimson Tide doesn't come to play.
You don't have to look far back to find that kind of example.
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