Roll Bama Roll

We will have plenty more to say per usual, but Alabama took care of business in the opener. There was reason to be encouraged by both lines, as Alabama ran the ball much more effectively than we saw for most of last season and successfully stuffed the run. Keelon Russell commanded the offense well and made some spectacular plays, but also tried to get a bit greedy on a few occasions and it could have bitten him. He will need to learn the concept of taking profit as this level.

Well after one half, how are we feeling? Alabama entered this game determined to show they could run the football after an entire off-season of questions about it, and the trio of Daniel Hill, EJ Crowell, and Trae’Shawn Brown all looked to have a bit of juice that nobody showed a year ago with Hill rushing for for two TDs and Crowell picking up a 3rd. The rebuilt OL was opening a whole lot of holes right up the middle, though they struggled on some stretch runs.

Editorial: It’s kinda funny: this game was originally supposed to be West Virginia. But then Greg Sankey got duped by the B10 to increase the number of SEC games from 8 to 9. The thing is, ECU might be just as good (if not better) than the Mountaineers in 2026. It’s going to be hot in T-town. There is lotsa rust to knock off and a need for units to gel. The Pirates lost a good deal of talent off last year’s squad, but the coach is a good one. Don’t get caught looking ahead, Bama.

Happy Friday, everyone. Tomorrow you will wake up, have some coffee, and then start preparing for Alabama football to kick off at 11am. Your game previews: Questions surround Alabama’s offense heading into the 2026. Position battles are seemingly secured with Keelon Russell at quarterback, William Sanders and, likely, Jayvin James on the offensive line and a set hierarchy in both the running back and wide receiver rooms.

This one is going to be one of the more impossible opponent previews you’ll see, as the ECU Pirates have nearly turned over their entire team after a nice 9-4 record last year under coach Blake Harrell. Guys like running back London Montgomery and safety Ja’Marley Riddle (two of their top players last year) have made the jump up to join the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs, and even starting QB Katin Houser transferred to Illinois.

Happy Thursday, everyone. Two more days until the season starts! Colin Gay has decided to get you all frothy for some Alabama football this morning. There was that time against Temple when he scrambled to the right and hit a curl route dagger to Emmanuel Ellison while falling, parallel to the sideline, using a sidearm throw. Then there was the 60-yard dart he threw to Dakorien Moore against DeSoto as a senior off his opposite foot on another bootleg play, running for his life outside of the pocket.

The Crimson Tide have many options for special teams returners in 2026. When asked about who will handle kickoff and punt returns on Wednesday, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer stated: “you’ll see a combination of Ryan Williams, Trae’shawn Brown, Dijon Lee and Rico Scott more than likely.” He was not more specific than that. It’s probably safe to assume that cornerback Lee (2 PR for 32 yards in 2025) will be the main punt returner backed by recevier Williams.

Happy Gump Day, everyone. Only three sleeps separate you from Alabama football’s breakfast date with East Carolina. Everyone is excited to see Keelon Russell sling it, but the bigger question will be the run game. This team gained 48 rushing yards in the final three games of the 2025 season. Granted, they faced elite competition in those games. But this is Alabama. Elite is the only expectation. Period. We said we’re not forgetting what happened Jan. 1 in California.

It’s a big day for Roll ‘Bama Roll. Today, the SB Nation app is live, and it’s the best way to follow the Crimson Tide. You can download it by searching SB Nation for iOS or Android. A year ago we made some big changes to our community, including offering fewer ads and the addition of the Feed. Today, we want to give you even more community tools and fewer ads with this app. It will make starting and joining conversations here as simple as posting to your favorite social media platform.

It’s officially game week, and we got a whole suite of press conferences from the coaches. First up, Ryan Grubb, who is as anti-coach-speak as you’ll see and is always good for a nugget or two of info. The two important bits: Will Sanders has overtaken Mal Waldrep for the starting left guard, but right tackle is still up for grabs EJ Crowell is fully ready to go and expected to play in game 1.