On Saturday afternoon, the Alabama football program continued its winning ways with a 21-6 road victory over the Vanderbilt Commodores. Quarterback Keelon Russell ended up starting in this one despite an ankle injury that had initially been projected to keep him in the lineup only as an emergency backup vs the Commodores.

After the game, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer spoke on what went into the decision for Russell to start for the Crimson Tide in this one.

“Kalen DeBoer said Keelon Russell had ‘minimal reps' during the week. DeBoer said there was a ‘lot of improvement' in the past 24-48 hours,” reported college football insider Mike Rodak of 247Sports on X, formerly Twitter.

If he can go, I expect him to go,” said DeBoer about Russell's status moving forward, per Charlie Potter of On3 Sports on X.

Russell had a solid game on Saturday in Nashville, completing 22 of his 33 pass attempts and tossing three touchdowns against one interception. Still, it wasn't exactly an inspiring victory for the Crimson Tide in this one, as the team had to survive a four-quarter slugfest against a Vanderbilt team that has been mostly putrid in its conference games so far this year.

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Despite that, Alabama now sits at 8-2 on the season and is still very much alive in its quest to make it to the SEC Championship Game, for whatever that's worth in the 2026 college football landscape.

The Crimson Tide are next slated to hit the field next Saturday at home vs. Chattanooga. Kickoff for that game is set for 2:00 pm ET.