Alabama football enters Week 1 against East Carolina with one major offensive question: has Ryan Grubb and the Crimson Tide finally fixed the running game?On today's Wake Up Bama, Kyle Henderson breaks down the biggest Alabama football developments from game week, including Ryan Grubb's update on EJ Crowell, the latest running-back rotation, Will Sanders emerging at left guard, and what Kalen DeBoer and Grubb want to see from Keelon Russell in his first start.Alabama finished near the bottom of college football in rushing offense last season, making improvement on the ground one of the biggest keys to the Crimson Tide's 2026 College Football Playoff hopes. We discuss why fixing the running game involves more than just the offensive line, how Daniel Hill and Alabama's running backs fit into the plan, and why establishing the run could make life significantly easier for a young quarterback.We also examine Alabama's young offense compared to an older East Carolina roster, Blake Harrell's approach to playing in Tuscaloosa, the pressure created by Alabama entering as a heavy favorite, and why failing to cover the spread would not automatically mean the Crimson Tide played poorly.On today's show:EJ Crowell's Week 1 availabilityAlabama's biggest running-game questionsDaniel Hill and the running-back rotationWill Sanders emerging at left guardRyan Grubb and Kalen DeBoer on fixing the offenseHow Alabama should handle Keelon Russell's first startAlabama's young talent vs. East Carolina's experienceWhat would actually worry us in Week 1The pressure and "rat poison" surrounding AlabamaWhy Year 3 is so important for Kalen DeBoerCan Alabama validate an 11-1 College Football Playoff prediction?Subscribe to Bama Football on YouTube with Kyle Henderson for daily Alabama football news, analysis, Wake Up Bama, The Drive Home and complete East Carolina game-week coverage.How many rushing yards will Alabama have against East Carolina? And does Alabama cover? Drop your predictions below and help us get today's show over 400 thumbs up!

MAJOR UPDATE: Ezavier Crowell status for East Carolina revealed

Game Week is officially here, and Kyle Henderson has changed his 2026 Alabama football season prediction.

After entering fall camp with Alabama projected to finish 10–2, what we learned throughout August has changed the outlook. Kyle now predicts the Crimson Tide to finish 11–1 and return to the College Football Playoff.

On Monday's Wake Up Bama, we go game-by-game through Alabama's 2026 schedule and explain why confidence has increased entering the season. Keelon Russell winning the quarterback job, Ryan Grubb's offense, an experienced and potentially elite Kane Wommack defense, improvement along the offensive line and encouraging developments on special teams have all raised Alabama's ceiling.

Plus, we dive into the latest Alabama football news entering the season opener against East Carolina, including:

🐘 Final 2026 Alabama season prediction
🏆 Why Alabama can finish 11–1 and make the College Football Playoff
🔥 What changed during fall camp
🏈 Keelon Russell and the outlook for Ryan Grubb's offense
🛡️ Why Alabama's defense could be one of the best in college football
🎯 Connor Talty winning the kicking competition
🏥 Latest Alabama injury questions entering Week 1
☠️ Can Alabama avoid the rat poison as a heavy favorite?
🍽️ Keelon Russell taking care of his offensive line
👀 Week Zero college football reactions and what they mean for Alabama

Family, we made it. It's officially East Carolina Week.

We'll hear from Kalen DeBoer, Ryan Grubb, Kane Wommack and Alabama players throughout the week as the Crimson Tide prepares to open the 2026 college football season.

Subscribe to Bama Football on YouTube with Kyle Henderson for daily Alabama football news, analysis, Wake Up Bama, The Drive Home, injury updates and complete game-week coverage.

What is YOUR final Alabama record prediction? Drop it in the comments and help us get today's show over 400 thumbs up!

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Is Alabama's 2026 roster being seriously underrated? After Colin Cowherd questioned whether the Crimson Tide still has the same caliber of players as programs like Ohio State, Kyle Henderson takes a closer look at what Alabama actually has heading into the season.

On this special Saturday edition of Wake Up Bama, we break down Alabama's loaded 2025 recruiting class, the rapid development of Keelon Russell, Michael Carroll, Dijon Lee, Jackson Lloyd and other young players, plus several three-star evaluations who are already outperforming expectations.

We also discuss whether Keelon Russell has raised Alabama's ceiling from a potential 9-3 season to 11-1, Ty Simpson's outstanding NFL preseason, Lotzeir Brooks' potential breakout season, Trent Seaborn's incredible start to his high school season, Alabama's latest injury updates and Austin Mack continuing to show why he's such a valuable teammate.

Plus, Kyle gives his weekend pick and explains why he's watching Florida State closely before Alabama's Week 3 matchup.

Subscribe to Bama Football on YouTube with Kyle Henderson for daily Alabama football news, analysis, roster updates and game coverage.

#AlabamaFootball #RollTide #BamaFootball #KeelonRussell #KalenDeBoer #CollegeFootball

Alabama football has spent nearly the entire 2026 offseason hearing the doubt surrounding Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide. Now, with game week approaching and Alabama entering its opener against East Carolina as a massive favorite, the conversation has flipped from reverse rat poison to rat poison.On today's Wake Up Bama, Kyle Henderson breaks down the expectations surrounding Keelon Russell's first start, Alabama's talented but young sophomore class, Devin Tompkins' strong comments about the Crimson Tide defense, Courtney Morgan pushing back on the narrative that Alabama won't spend money, and the pressure Kalen DeBoer faces while following the championship standard established by Nick Saban.Plus, ESPN's upcoming Nick Saban series brings the legendary Alabama coach back into the spotlight as the Crimson Tide prepares to begin the 2026 college football season.Topics include Alabama vs. East Carolina, Keelon Russell, Kalen DeBoer, Ryan Grubb, Alabama's defense, Devin Tompkins, Courtney Morgan, Nick Saban, Alabama recruiting, transfer portal strategy and much more.Subscribe to Bama Football on YouTube with Kyle Henderson for daily Alabama football news, analysis, practice updates and game coverage.#AlabamaFootball #RollTide #BamaFootball #KalenDeBoer #KeelonRussell #NickSaban #CollegeFootball

Alabama football has been hit by the injury bug entering Game Week, with defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman expected to miss the 2026 season with an ACL injury. But does Alabama have enough defensive depth to withstand the losses?On Thursday's Wake Up Bama, Kyle Henderson breaks down the latest Alabama injury news involving Beaman, EJ Crowell, AK Dear, Jireh Edwards, Jorden Edmonds, Nick Sherman, Noah Rogers and Lotzeir Brooks.We also discuss sophomore linebacker Luke Metz earning a starting role alongside Caleb Woodson, Kane Wommack's incredible defensive depth, Alabama's loaded secondary and why the Crimson Tide defense could actually be better than it was last season.Plus, Connor Talty and Lorcan Quinn continue their kicking battle, and East Carolina head coach Blake Harrell discusses the challenge of facing new Alabama starting quarterback Keelon Russell.With Alabama favored by more than three touchdowns against East Carolina, has the narrative officially shifted from "reverse rat poison" to actual rat poison?Game Week is almost here.

Ryan Grubb says Alabama starting quarterback Keelon Russell is ahead of schedule entering the 2026 season — including in one of the most important areas for a young quarterback: his pre-snap command.On Wednesday's Wake Up Bama, Kyle Henderson breaks down Grubb's latest comments on Russell, what they could mean for Alabama's offense, and how the Crimson Tide can build around its talented sophomore QB.We also discuss Rico Scott, Ryan Coleman-Williams, Alabama's loaded wide receiver room, the development of the tight ends, the projected starting offensive line and how Ryan Grubb should attack defenses early this season.Plus, we tackle the uncomfortable question: Are expectations becoming too high for Keelon Russell and Alabama's offense? What happens if the offensive line struggles or the offense again has difficulty establishing an identity?Also covered: the latest Alabama injury developments involving Jireh Edwards, Jorden Edmonds and EJ Crowell, plus the bizarre Class of 2022 eligibility situation and whether Alabama could still add another player.Game week is getting closer.

Kalen DeBoer has officially named Keelon Russell Alabama's starting quarterback, but what comes next for the Crimson Tide and Austin Mack?

On Tuesday's Wake Up Bama, Kyle Henderson breaks down DeBoer's latest comments on Keelon Russell, why Alabama continues to express confidence in both quarterbacks, and the impressive way Austin Mack responded after learning he would begin the season as QB2.

We also dive into the latest Alabama injury updates involving Noah Rogers, EJ Crowell, AK Dear and Jeremiah Beamon, plus the developing kicking competition, new offensive line clarity involving Javen James and Mal Waldrop, and the possibility of Alabama exploring another roster addition.

With East Carolina approaching, fall camp is over and Alabama is officially entering game mode.

Subscribe to Bama Football on YouTube with Kyle Henderson for daily Alabama football news, analysis, practice updates and Wake Up Bama.

#AlabamaFootball #KeelonRussell #KalenDeBoer #RollTide #BamaFootball

Alabama has its starting quarterback, and now Keelon Russell’s father is providing a behind-the-scenes look at the person, preparation and playing style behind the Crimson Tide’s new QB1.On today’s Wake Up Bama, Kyle Henderson shares his exclusive conversation with Brian Russell, including how Keelon learned to command Alabama’s huddle, why he spent time practicing play calls in front of a mirror, how he developed beyond the label of a running quarterback, and the NFL-style comparisons his family has heard—including Aaron Rodgers, Robert Griffin III and Randall Cunningham.Brian Russell also revealed what Keelon told him the morning after becoming Alabama’s starting quarterback: “East Carolina is on the clock.”Plus, Alabama received an extremely encouraging practice update Sunday as transfer wide receiver Noah Rogers returned to the field and appeared to be ahead of his original recovery timeline.We break down what Rogers’ return could mean for Keelon Russell, Ryan Coleman-Williams, Lotzeir Brooks, Derek Meadows, Cederian Morgan and Alabama’s 2026 offense.Subscribe to Bama Football on YouTube with Kyle Henderson for Alabama football news, analysis, practice updates and daily Wake Up Bama coverage.

It's official: Keelon Russell is Alabama's starting quarterback. Kalen DeBoer has made his decision, ending one of the biggest quarterback competitions in college football.

On this edition of Wake Up Bama, Kyle Henderson starts with five facts that immediately change now that Russell is QB1 before examining the biggest questions surrounding Alabama's new starting quarterback.

What will Ryan Grubb's offense look like with Russell? How high is his ceiling? How much patience will Alabama have with a young quarterback? What happens with Austin Mack? And could Russell eventually develop into another first-round NFL quarterback?

Plus, we examine five "what if" scenarios—including what happens if Russell is immediately special, how he'll respond to adversity and whether this decision represents the true beginning of Kalen DeBoer's vision for Alabama football.

The QB competition is over.

Now we find out what No. 12 can do.

#AlabamaFootball #KeelonRussell #KalenDeBoer #RollTide #BamaFootball