Fresh off a huge win in Baton Rouge over LSU, Alabama has one more road test to pass before coming back home to Tuscaloosa for back-to-back home games.
The Crimson Tide travels to Nashville, the site of one of Kalen DeBoer's most humiliating losses as a head coach. Two years ago, Alabama was ambushed by Vanderbilt on the road the week after an emotionally charged win at home over Georgia.
This is a tricky spot. The whole world has penciled in the Crimson Tide as a College Football Playoff team after beating LSU.
To make matters more complicated, Alabama could be without star QB Keelon Russell. Kalen DeBoer called him "day-to-day" during his Monday press conference, and sharp bettors appear to be operating under the assumption that Russell won't play in Nashville based on Tuesday's line movement.
If he can't go, Alabama will turn to senior Austin Mack. While playing a backup QB is always concerning, the Crimson Tide is in better shape than many others with a guy who has been in the system for four years and has been the top backup for two seasons. There's confidence within the program that Mack can get the job done if need be.
Odds courtesy of FanDuel.
Spread: Alabama -15.5
Over/Under: 50.5
Moneyline: Alabama -720/Vanderbilt +530
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
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Injury reports will be updated on Wednesday evening when the SEC's availability reports are released.
TBD
On the call this weekend in Nashville on the SEC Network will be Matt Schumacker (play-by-play), Aaron Murray (analyst), and Taylor Davis (sideline reporter).
Temps will be on the cool side in Nashville on Saturday. The current projection points to temperatures in the high 40s at kickoff and getting into the low 50s by the fourth quarter. Not much cance of rain in the current forecast.
Unlike Auburn, Alabama has had little trouble with Vanderbilt in program history. The Crimson Tide leads the all-time series 64-19-4. The Commodores have just two wins in the series since 1969, and the 2024 upset in Nashville was Vanderbilt's first win over Alabama since 1984.
Alabama got payback last year, knocking off Diego Pavia and the 'Dores 30-14 in Tuscaloosa.
The series was first played back in 1903.
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