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By Bryan Colbert Jr.
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Alabama is expected to start Austin Mack against Vanderbilt on Saturday, giving the veteran quarterback his first career start while Keelon Russell continues recovering from an ankle injury.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Russell is expected to be available, but Alabama’s preference is to hold him out and allow the ankle to heal. That would put Mack in charge of protecting the No. 3 Crimson Tide’s postseason hopes during a road trip to Nashville.
The distinction matters.
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Russell remained listed as probable on Alabama’s latest availability report, so the anticipated change does not mean he has been ruled out. The Tuscaloosa News also confirmed Friday that Mack was expected to start.
Earlier Friday, On3’s Pete Nakos and Chris Low reported that Russell would be a game-time decision. Thamel’s subsequent update pointed toward Alabama preparing to use its backup from the opening possession rather than waiting to determine whether Russell could play.
Russell injured his left ankle during last week’s 31-13 victory at LSU. He returned with the ankle taped and did not miss an offensive snap, finishing 17-for-24 for 206 yards and three touchdowns.
Through nine games, Russell has thrown for 2,263 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions, while adding 276 rushing yards and five scores. His production has helped Alabama reach 7-2 and remain in contention for both the SEC championship and College Football Playoff.
Mack’s opportunity comes after he lost the preseason competition to Russell. He has appeared in four games this season, completing three of four passes for 23 yards, with a rushing touchdown also on his stat sheet.
Coach Kalen DeBoer previously praised Mack’s response to the disappointment of missing out on the starting job.
“He’s never fallen off, he’s never wavered about how he’s going to approach things. He’s a pro,” DeBoer said.
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Mack followed DeBoer from Washington to Alabama after the 2023 season. He knows the system, but Saturday would bring responsibilities that his limited appearances have not required. Across nine career games, he has attempted 39 passes, completing 29 for 290 yards and three touchdowns.
Vanderbilt enters at 4-5 overall and 1-5 in SEC play. Alabama still has Chattanooga and Auburn remaining after Saturday’s matchup.
Resting Russell would give Alabama’s starter additional recovery time before that closing stretch. Making that plan work now falls to Mack, whose long wait for a start appears set to end with the Crimson Tide needing a road win.
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