Alabama football travels to Kentucky on Saturday, and a former Crimson Tide player will be awaiting as a new Wildcats starter.

Alabama football opened the 2026 season with exactly the kind of performance Kalen DeBoer wanted to see.The Crimson Tide rolled past East Carolina 48-10 on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, piling up 487 yards of offense while holding the Pirates to just 162 total yards.

The Crimson Tide defense is leaning on prior experiences ahead of 2026 season opener.

Three spots are secured on the Alabama offensive line with Jackson Lloyd at left tackle, Racin Delgatty at center and Michael Carroll at right guard. Four players are fighting for two spots: Jayvin James and Nick Brooks at right tackle, and Mal Waldrep and William Sanders at left guard.

Ryan Grubb left nothing to interpretation. He wants Alabama football to start its "best five" offensive linemen, a luxury the Crimson Tide was not able to have in 2025. Grubb knows this is unrealistic. There are injuries. Adjustments need to be made.

The Crimson Tide offensive coordinator lists moments from the season-opening victory over East Carolina that he was disappointed in.

A Crimson Tide starter used to play for the Wildcats' new head coach, and he provided a scouting report ahead of Saturday's SEC game.

Pregame analysis and predictions of the Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Kentucky Wildcats NCAAF game to be played on September 12, 2026 on ESPN.