Alabama entered 2026 with plenty of questions. Four games later, the Crimson Tide are starting to look like one of the most complete teams in college football.
The biggest reason is Keelon Russell.
Russell looked like a young quarterback early in the season, especially during a rough first half at Kentucky. But his development has been rapid. Against South Carolina, Russell exploded for 365 passing yards, four passing touchdowns and another score on the ground while completing 21 of 27 passes without an interception. Alabama rolled 49-18 and improved to 4-0.
But this isn’t just Russell carrying Alabama.
The Crimson Tide have now scored at least 45 points in each of their first four games, something no FBS program had done to begin a season since 2019. The weapons around Russell are producing, the offensive line is beginning to settle in, and Alabama has shown it can run the football when necessary.
Defensively, there have still been some shaky moments in the secondary, but we’ve also seen what this unit can become. Alabama held Kentucky to just 62 second-half yards while shutting the Wildcats out after halftime in a 45-17 win.
Now comes the real test.
Alabama’s next five games are against teams currently ranked in the AP Top 25. If the Tide keep looking like this against that stretch, the conversation around this team is going to change quickly.
Because Alabama isn’t just winning anymore.
They’re starting to look complete.
