ALABAMA FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Tide opens SEC play by hosting Vandy

Alabama beat Louisiana-Monroe 63-7. The Crimson Tide are the second-ranked team in the country. They play Vanderbilt on Saturday night. Vanderbilt is a six-touchdown underdog. It's the SEC opener for both teams. The Commodores have dropped the past 22 meetings and 21 consecutive games.

Both teams have a starter who would have been on the opposite sidelines early in their college careers. Tyler Steen is starting at left tackle for the Tide. Joseph Bulovas played in 26 games for Alabama from 2017-20.

Tide opens SEC play by hosting Vandy. Saban thinks Vandal coach Lea has changed the whole culture of the program.

Mike Wright was named the starting quarterback at SEC Media Days in July. AJ Swann started the fourth game of the season and threw for four touchdowns. He became only the third Vanderbilt quarterback to throw for at least 250 yards and four TDs on the road since 1996. Alabama opens SEC play by hosting Vandy.

Lea has coached against Alabama before. He was defensive coordinator for Notre Dame when Alabama routed the Fighting Irish 31-14 in the College Football Playoff at the Rose Bowl. Lea's first start playing at Vanderbilt was against the Tide at home.

Will Anderson Jr. won the turnover pool with his pick-six against Louisiana-Monroe. He's still waiting to collect. Alabama opens SEC play by hosting Vandy.