Is a favorite emerging in Alabama QB competition? 

Kalen DeBoer and the Alabama Crimson Tide continue to prepare for a must-bounce-back 2026 season.

With Ty Simpson now in the pros, Austin Mack and Keelon Russell will go toe-to-toe to take the reins of the offense next season.

While DeBoer has remained tight-lipped about the quarterback battle, CBS Sports insiders Chris Hummer and Matt Zenit believe there's already a slight favorite to win the job. 

There's no final word yet, but for now, it looks like Russell is ahead in this race.

Alabama might lean toward Keelon Russell over Austin Mack 

“There's nothing decided at this point in Alabama's quarterback competition between Keelon Russell and Austin Mack, and it doesn't appear there's a big separation between the two heading into fall camp. But sources around the program view Russell, the No. 2 overall player in the 2026 class, as being at least a slight favorite to win the job,” Hummer and Zenitz argued.

Of course, this will all be a fluid decision, and winning the job for Week 1 doesn't necessarily mean whoever is under center for that game will close out the season as the starter.

The Crimson Tide are coming off a disappointing campaign and have yet to reach the heights of the Nick Saban era, and they will be under extreme pressure to deliver in 2026. 

Also, DeBoer doesn't have to rush to make a decision. Alabama will kick off its season on Sept. 6 against East Carolina, so nothing's set in stone yet. 

The Crimson Tide went 11-4 last season, including 7-1 in conference play, with Simpson's mid-season injury likely derailing a once-promising campaign.

However, while those numbers aren't necessarily bad for most programs, the bar is always a bit higher in the SEC, and especially in Tuscaloosa.