Top-5 college football team makes change at quarterback

SportsAlabama quarterback Austin Mack (10) runs the ball against East Carolina during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP Photo/Vasha HuntAustin Mack is expected to start for the No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday against Vanderbilt, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Friday afternoon. Keelon Russell, who has started all season for Kalen DeBoer’s team, is still expected to be available.“The expectation is the Tide staff holds him out and lets his ankle heal,” Thamel posted, citing sources, on social media.According to AL.com, Russell injured his ankle in the win over LSU. He threw for three touchdowns, despite the injury. Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer listed Russell as “day-to-day” on Monday.“We’ve got to keep moving and winning and playing our best football,” DeBoer said Monday. “So you’re weighing how he feels with what the medical staff says as far as, we never want to hurt him. We will never do that. But he’s got to go out there and be able to play at a level that will help us win. We’ve got a lot of confidence if we had to move to Austin (Mack) at some point.”Mack has completed 3 of 4 passes for 23 yards. He also has rushed three times for 2 yards and one touchdown.Last year in the Rose Bowl, Mack completed 11 of 16 passes for 103 yards against Indiana after then-starter Ty Simpson.Mark Heim is a senior writer who provides sports, news and trending content. He co-hosts a daily sports radio show on WNSP-FM 105.5 in Mobile. Heim has been recognized with awards for his writing, headlines and...