With kickoff just under two hours away, Alabama head coach Nick Saban confirmed the game‑day roster for the No. 3 Crimson Tide as they travel to Vanderbilt’s home field in Nashville, Tennessee. The Tide are seeking their first win in the Volunteer State since 2020.

Starting quarterback change

Senior backup quarterback Austin Mack will start in place of injured starter Keelon Russell. Russell was listed as a game‑time decision after sustaining a minor injury earlier in the week, but the coaching staff said he will remain on the sideline unless an emergency arises.

Player status updates

Running back EJ Crowell, who missed the previous two games with a knee injury suffered in the October 17 loss to Tennessee, is now listed as “off the report (good to go)” and is expected to suit up. Defensive back Zabien Brown, who also missed time after the Tennessee game, is cleared to play after limited reps against LSU last week.

Offensive lineman William Sanders, who underwent ankle surgery following his injury against Texas A&M on October 24, is also listed as cleared to play. He dressed for the LSU game but did not see action.

Players out for Alabama

• Running back AK Dear
• Linebacker Desmond Umeozulu
• Linebacker Cayden Jones
• Defensive lineman Mhari Johnson
• Defensive back Nick Sherman
• Tight end Josh Ford
• Offensive lineman Casey Poe
• Defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman

Game‑time decisions for Alabama

• Quarterback Keelon Russell (injury)
• Defensive back Chuck McDonald III

Vanderbilt availability

Vanderbilt also released its own injury report. The following players are listed as out:

• Quarterback Blaze Berlowitz
• Edge defender Edwin Kolenge
• Linebacker Josiah Broxton
• Running back Evan Hampton
• Linebacker Daniel Vollmer Jr.
• Offensive lineman Gunner Givens
• Defensive lineman Aaron Bryant
• Offensive lineman Ted Gregoire

Kickoff is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Central Time. Fans can follow live coverage on the Tide 100.9 app, where DME and Brand Manager Wyatt Fulton provides play‑by‑play updates.

How to stay connected

For additional game analysis, player interviews, and post‑game highlights, follow Wyatt Fulton on X (formerly Twitter) at @FultonW_. The Tide 100.9 app remains the primary source for real‑time Crimson Tide news throughout the matchup.

Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.