Coach Kalen DeBoer's No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide are hitting the road this weekend to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores with star freshman QB Keelon Russell getting a ‘game-time decision' label. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb made a “no media BS” comment that shows the fortress-like attitude enveloping the Tide program down the stretch of the season.

On Friday, November 13, Pete Thamel of ESPN shared an update on the Russell situation as he shared a rumor that backup QB Austin Mack could be in line to start.

“Sources: Alabama is expected to start Austin Mack at quarterback against Vanderbilt on Saturday. Starter Keelon Russell (ankle) is expected to be available, but the expectation is the Tides staff holds him out and lets his ankle heal. Russell has been listed as probable.”

Mack has played in nine games with the Crimson Tide over three seasons, recording 290 passing yards and three touchdowns. The 6-foot-6, 237 pound quarterback transferred from the Washington Huskies and was a redshirt freshman backup to Michael Penix Jr. in the national championship game loss to the Michigan Wolverines.

The Crimson Tide are angling for a spot in the SEC Championship Game with a 5-2 record, a half-game behind the Georgia Bulldogs for first place, tied with Kentucky, and a half-game ahead of Texas and Tennessee.

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Defensive coordinator Kane Wommack's unit could have the final say in whether the Crimson Tide defeat the Commodores, as he recently got into it with Kalen DeBoer in a fiery sideline moment, sensing the gravity of the Tide's end-of-season run.

Mack doesn't have a big sample size to draw from heading into the Vanderbilt game, but what he does have is a wealth of experience and a band of talented teammates that can help him to make the most of a start, should he get the nod.