No. 3 Alabama, Vanderbilt Set for SEC Showdown

Alabama visits Vanderbilt in Nashville on Saturday, with the Commodores hoping to repeat their 2024 upset of the Crimson Tide; Alabama won the teams’ 2025 meeting. Vanderbilt, 4-5 and coming off its first SEC win, will need long, clock-draining drives and few turnovers to limit Alabama’s chances. Alabama is 7-2, but quarterback Keelon Russell’s ankle injury leaves Austin Mack expected to make his first career start, though Russell could be available if needed. Vanderbilt’s defense may be able to exploit Alabama’s recent struggles running the ball, while the Tide’s scoring efficiency in the red zone and receiving talent pose a major challenge. Both teams also have multiple players listed as unavailable, adding uncertainty to the matchup.