# Alabama's Keelon Russell Era Begins… Is LSU Becoming the SEC's VILLAIN?

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/cover-crimson-podcast-network-7247339/alabama-s-keelon-russell-era-begins-is-lsu-becoming-the-sec-s-villain
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/cover-crimson-podcast-network-7247339/alabama-s-keelon-russell-era-begins-is-lsu-becoming-the-sec-s-villain.md
Podcast: [Cover Crimson Podcast Network](https://stenobird.com/podcast/cover-crimson-podcast-network-7247339)
Published: 2026-08-28T16:49:17+00:00
Episode link: https://nextroundlive.com/
Audio file: https://afp-954759-injected.calisto.simplecastaudio.com/5d5bccff-5f9d-4b8f-9e71-bf0109d96894/episodes/56c7e7a3-7975-451c-853a-e188989f3253/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=5d5bccff-5f9d-4b8f-9e71-bf0109d96894&awEpisodeId=56c7e7a3-7975-451c-853a-e188989f3253&feed=g60J_CIo
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Duration seconds: 2105

## Resource

Chris Marler (@Vern_Funquist) joins the show for the FIRST time as our new Friday guest, and we're kicking off what will be a weekly conversation throughout the college football season! We start in Tuscaloosa with Alabama officially naming Keelon Russell the starting quarterback. What should Alabama fans realistically expect from Russell in Year 1? How much pressure is on the young QB? And now that the biggest question surrounding Alabama has been answered, should the Crimson Tide be ranked higher than No. 13? We also dive into Alabama's injury situation after Kalen DeBoer pushed back on some of the concern surrounding the number of players missing time in fall camp. Is the injury bug actually a major problem for Alabama — or is the panic being overblown? Then we take a BIG step back and look at the SEC. The 5-for-5 NCAA situation has created another layer of chaos, with the SEC moving to restrict former NFL players from returning to college football. LSU was the lone school to abstain from the vote on punishments, raising plenty of questions about the Tigers, Lane Kiffin and whether LSU is ready to embrace the role of the SEC villain. Finally, we break down Alabama's preseason expectations, the SEC Media Poll, the AP Top 25 and whether the Crimson Tide is being seriously underrated heading into the 2026 season. Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CLNS and use code CLNS and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup!

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