Alabama football is 5-0 this year and ranked sixth in the nation. They have been led by quarterback Keelon Russell, who has been nothing short of spectacular to start the year. Now, Russell will face his biggest test of the year as Alabama faces Georgia this week.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart knows the type of player Russell is and spoke of his ability on Monday, per Dawg Nation.

“I knew about him in high school and watched his high school tape. I knew he was an elite player. Probably the best quarterback in the country coming out,” Smart said of the Alabama quarterback. “He kind of goes away, disappears for a year. Reappears and is just unbelievable: savvy, arm strength, pocket awareness. People will make him out to be a runner. He doesn't run unless he has to, and he can, but he scrambles to throw. Scrambles to run. He's accurate. He's smart. He's very talented.”

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Russell, who won the starting job in training camp and saw limited action in 2025, has been stellar for the Crimson Tide. He has completed 94 of 132 passes for 1,414 yards this year, while throwing 11 touchdowns. He also has just two interceptions. Russell has also run for 184 yards and four touchdowns.

Regardless, this will be the toughest defense he has faced. Georgia is 16th in the nation in opponent points per game while sitting 13th in opponent yards per game. They also force 2.5 turnovers per game, which is fourth in the nation.

Both teams enter the game at 5-0 this year. The Top 25 clash in the SEC is set for a 7:30 pm ET kickoff on Saturday night.