Jumbo Package: 10th-ranked Alabama moves on to FSU
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Happy Monday, everyone. Alabama is back in the top ten after taking care of Kentucky.
Like in the coaches poll, there were some major moves in this week’s Associated Press college football poll.
Texas is the new No. 1 in the media poll released Sunday afternoon. The Longhorns took down the preseason top-ranked Buckeyes of Ohio State on Saturday night.
Alabama advanced to No. 10 after entering Saturday’s trip to Kentucky at 12th. The Crimson Tide blew past the Wildcats with a 32-0 second half to win 45-17.
Nick Kelly has a few additional game notes for you.
Jackson Lloyd has fared well through two games as Alabama’s left tackle. He hasn’t allowed a pressure yet, per PFF. He’s been good in run blocking too.
The offensive line as a whole had a solid day in Lexington. Two pressures allowed all day, per PFF, which consist of sacks, hits and hurries. The big men also opened holes up front for Hill and the running backs to take advantage. This group is building momentum.
Luke Metz and Caleb Woodson are playing well as the new inside linebackers. They combined for 20 tackles. Metz had his pick six and Woodson tallied two sacks. They are proving to be difference makers and tone setters.
Lloyd was a monster. Check out this carnage.
Many scoffed in the offseason at the suggestion that Lloyd could be an upgrade over Kadyn Proctor, who was immediately moved inside to guard by the putrid Miami Dolphins. Lloyd profiles as a legitimate NFL caliber left tackle, and got the benefit of sitting his true freshman season to get his sea legs.
Keelon Russell made no bones about needing to clean up his mistakes.
“Obviously, the game was going very slow for me,” he said. “Started out very slow. Like I said, I got to do better quarterback play going into next week, which I am. I desire to work hard this whole week to prepare myself.”
Late in Saturday’s contest, with the outcome in hand and Russell’s day finished, the quarterback found his head coach on the sideline. The two exchanged words.
Russell said he told DeBoer, “I’m willing to work my [intentional pause] off this week going into FSU.”
“Got to fix the mistakes as a quarterback,” Russell said. “The world is going to say, ‘Oh, he’s a young quarterback.’ And like I said last week, I don’t describe myself as a young quarterback. I describe myself as a veteran quarterback. Anybody with the QB1 position should be the veteran of the team. So you just got to exit the sloppy play as a quarterback.”
Russell shows impressive character to go with his obvious talent. If he continues to develop, the sky is the limit for this team.
Alabama will now move on to Florida State, which carries intrigue for obvious reasons.
Revenge is on Alabama’s mind as Florida State comes to town. The Crimson Tide started the 2025 season as a double-digit favorite on the road against the Seminoles, but stumbled. Florida State embarrassed the Crimson Tide with the help of then-quarterback Thomas Castellanos. Florida State looks much different in 2026, but the idea of revenge is all Alabama cares about heading into Week 3 after dominant victories against East Carolina and Kentucky.
If the Tide can build on the second half of the Kentucky game, the ‘Noles should be easy work. Is Alabama ready to be that team?
FSU seems to always have some kind of Auburn stank on them.
Ashton Daniels transferred to FSU from Auburn during the offseason, taking over as starting quarterback for the Seminoles. Daniels started last season’s Iron Bowl, a closer game than many were expecting, throwing for 259 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the loss to Alabama.
The Crimson Tide will be heavily favored against FSU on Saturday. But if UA doesn’t take the challenge seriously, the Seminoles are good enough to make it pay.
Last, Texas gets the spoils in the latest SEC Shorts drop.
That’s about it for today. Have a great week.
Roll Tide.
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