Alabama certainly looked elite in Week 1.
The Crimson Tide destroyed East Carolina 48-10, finished with 487 yards of offense and held the Pirates to only 162 total yards and two rushing yards.
That’s impressive.
But I’m still not ready to call Alabama elite.
Keelon Russell Looks Special
The biggest reason for optimism is Keelon Russell.
In his first career start, Russell accounted for 342 total yards, including 86 rushing yards and a touchdown. His athleticism gives Alabama something completely different at quarterback.
But there were also young-quarterback moments.
Russell took some unnecessary risks, had a fumble and nearly threw an interception that was erased by a penalty.
That’s fine against East Carolina.
Against Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma or Texas?
Those mistakes can lose games.
The Trenches Looked Much Better
This might have been the most encouraging part of Alabama’s opener.
After struggling to consistently run the football last season, Alabama rushed for 227 yards and five touchdowns against ECU. Defensively, the Tide completely erased ECU’s running game.
If Alabama can consistently control the line of scrimmage like that, my opinion of this team changes quickly.
But We Need to See It Against Real Competition
That’s why Saturday at Kentucky matters.
Kentucky isn’t a national championship favorite, but it’s an SEC road game with Russell making his first road start behind a completely rebuilt offensive line.
This should tell us considerably more than East Carolina did.
Alabama absolutely has elite talent.
The secondary could be one of the best in college football. Russell has superstar potential. The running game already looks improved.
But there’s a difference between having elite talent and being an elite team.
Right now, Alabama has shown us one dominant performance against an inferior opponent.
I’m not ready to put them alongside the best teams in college football yet.
Go dominate Kentucky on the road.
Then we can start having that conversation.
