The Alabama Crimson Tide, after earning a No. 5 ranking in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, may have been able to make the CFP if they lost to the LSU Tigers in Week 10. Instead, they rolled Lane Kiffin and Co. in the second half and won 31-13 in Baton Rouge to all but lock up a playoff bid.
On Monday, Alabama revealed its Players of the Week from the LSU triumph. Defensively, its entire secondary earned recognition, as did linebacker Luke Metz and defensive lineman Devan Thompkins.
Metz, a sophomore from Hoschton, GA, paced the Crimson Tide with 11 tackles against the Bayou Bengals. Thompkins, a native of Tracy, CA, brought the highlight of his senior season thus far with two sacks. He also had a great rush that forced Sam Leavitt to throw an interception to Metz at the end of the first half.
On offense, Keelon Russell’s efficient afternoon – 17/24, 206 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT; 8 carries, 25 yards — earned recognition. Tight end Kaleb Edwards, who tied for the team lead in receptions (3), was also recognized. He and Russell teamed up for a late touchdown that sealed the Crimson Tide’s win.
Ben Jackson, Steve Mboumoua, Elijah Murray and Noah Rogers earned scout and special teams acknowledgement, respectively. Alabama marches on Nashville this weekend to face Vanderbilt (12:45 p.m. ET, SEC Network).
