Alabama makes huge jump into top 5 of ESPN’s power rankings
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Alabama picked up one of the most impressive wins of Week 5 in a 56-23 drubbing of Mississippi State in Starkville.
With another blowout win on its résumé, Alabama has finally earned a spot in the top 5 of ESPN’s weekly power rankings. The Crimson Tide moved up 4 spots to No. 4 overall in this week’s edition.
Here’s analysis from ESPN’s Alex Scarborough:
Welcome to the Heisman Trophy race, Keelon Russell. Mississippi State’s Kamario Taylor was supposed to be the SEC’s top Heisman Trophy candidate, but Russell snatched that honor with a four-touchdown performance (three passing, one rushing) as the Crimson Tide dominated the Bulldogs in Starkville. It’s not just Russell, though. The defense, while a little leaky when it comes to big plays, has been opportunistic with four defensive touchdowns in five games. And the running game has come alive with an average of 186.4 yards
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As noted above, Keelon Russell has emerged as one of college football’s top quarterbacks. Through 5 weeks, he’s thrown for 1,414 yards and 11 touchdown passes. His passer efficiency rating of 185.7 ranks 6th nationally among qualified signal-callers.
Russell and the Crimson Tide will have an even tougher test this week, though, as they host Georgia on Saturday night.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
