The Alabama Crimson Tide got its season started off on the right foot over the weekend with a 48-10 victory over the East Carolina Pirates at a very warm Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Not only did week one mark the third season of the Kalen DeBoer era, it was also the start of the Keelon Russell era — after the former five-star super recruit out of Texas won the starting quarterback job following a hotly contested battle with Austin Mack.

Russell made some plays — especially with his legs — that showed some absolutely dazzling potential.

I mean, what are you supposed to do to stop Keelon Russell here? Unreal. pic.twitter.com/NFOTbXC2hl

— Gabe Burggraf (@GabeBurggraf) September 5, 2026

With more than 250 yards through the air and another 86 — plus a touchdown — on the ground, Russell looked solid. But there were times when he looked like a young player who needs to learn to slide instead of taking hits, and at times he was a little jumpy in the pocket.

Regardless, he adds a new element to this offense and contributed heavily to the rushing attack, something everyone had their eyes on headed into the game. The offensive line certainly looked a bit more physical and 227 yards on the ground compared to just two total rushing yards for ECU offered some optimism.

There were also miscues and pre-snap penalties as the entire operation has some things to clean up, but it was a nice step.

Running backs wise, true freshmen EJ Crowell and Trae’shawn Brown look like legitimate difference makers in terms of avoiding contact and getting to the next level, something the Tide rushing game has been missing over the first two years of DeBoer’s tenure.

Just as he did last year, Ryan Coleman-Williams unfortunately had a couple of horrible drops, but this was during a game in which he also had 130 yards on five catches and looked downright lethal in the open field.

It was not all perfect, but there was a lot to like from the way Alabama played offense and there are positives to build on.

Defensively, outside of a miscommunication in a busted coverage that led to the only Pirates touchdown of the day, it was hard not to love what this team brought. Allowing less than a yard per rushing attempt and just 162 total yards is going to be great against any opponent, even an inferior week one team.

Next week, Alabama hits the road and begins SEC play earlier than usual, taking on an upstart Kentucky team. The Wildcats are coming off an impressive opener of their own, piling up more than 500 yards of offense under new head coach Will Stein and Notre Dame transfer quarterback Kenny Minchey.

The Wildcats will be looking for a signature win early in the Stein era and believe it can be Alabama.

DeBoer must have his team ready to go in order to avoid the pitfalls his teams have faced on the road in each of his first two seasons, but if they can continue to get better from Saturday’s victory, the Tide should be just fine in Lexington.