According to Tuscaloosa Thread's live updates, quarterback Keelon Russell — listed by Roll 'Bama Roll as a game-time decision — took all first-team warmup reps and started for No. 3 Alabama (7-2, 5-2 SEC) against 4-5 Vanderbilt in Nashville.

Alabama won the toss and deferred, then opened with a three-and-out. Vanderbilt also sputtered early, losing 17 yards over four plays on one drive, yet stayed in field-goal range and connected on a 52-yard kick to lead 3-0 in the second quarter.

Roll 'Bama Roll's game thread reported Russell as a game-time decision, and its own roundup of related coverage carried a Nov. 13 report that Austin Mack was expected to start at quarterback — a split that made the actual starter genuinely uncertain until warmups.

Roll 'Bama Roll also noted the FanDuel line swung wildly all week, settling at Alabama -14.5 with a 47.5 over/under, adding that oddsmakers 'have no faith in Austin Mack balling out.' That a playoff-contending Tide entered a rivalry trip with its QB situation this murky is the day's real upset.

Tuscaloosa Thread's drive log documents the early mess: Alabama's best field position of the half was squandered when Russell, facing fourth-and-seven, rolled out and lost his footing on the turf at his own 46.

Later, Russell's pass was tipped and intercepted, handing Vanderbilt its best field position of the day at the Alabama 17 — where the Tide defense bailed the offense out with a stop. Back-to-back false start and holding penalties also killed Alabama's first trip into Vanderbilt territory.

Right tackle Michael Carroll spent time in the injury tent with trainers examining his right foot, per Tuscaloosa Thread.

Yahoo Sports' Vanderbilt preview framed the stakes plainly: this is the first Alabama trip to Nashville since the Commodores' upset of No. 1 Alabama in 2024, and coach Clark Lea said there is 'a lot that we can learn from that experience' despite a 4-5 season.

Yahoo's keys called for Vanderbilt to win time of possession, force turnovers, and finally string together a complete game, predicting Alabama 42-17.

Roll 'Bama Roll's editorial warned Alabama 'better not look past them like they did in 2024,' especially with Diego Pavia and Eli Stowers gone and Vanderbilt back near the league's basement.

Roll 'Bama Roll notes Alabama entered the weekend third in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, with the committee doubling down on rating strength of schedule over win-loss records — meaning a stumble against a 4-5 Vanderbilt team would carry outsized consequences.

Roll 'Bama Roll's thread editor Brent posts halftime thoughts since no second-half thread runs, while Yahoo's preview said Vanderbilt 'isn't good enough to beat Alabama straight up' without turnovers and miracles.

With Vanderbilt leading 3-0 and Russell throwing the game's first interception, the Tide's margin for error is already thin.