TNR 9/17/26 | QB Advantage: Auburn Tigers or Florida Gators? Alabama is Back to Health

Alabama vs. Florida State, Auburn vs. Florida, LSU vs. Ole Miss and the latest SEC injury news headline a loaded LIVE college football show!

🏈 ALABAMA GETTING HEALTHIER FOR FLORIDA STATE
The Alabama Crimson Tide gets a major boost ahead of its rematch with the Florida State Seminoles as starting right guard Michael Carroll is expected to return after missing Alabama’s win at Kentucky. How much does getting Carroll back change the outlook for Kalen DeBoer, Keelon Russell and the Crimson Tide offense? Alabama also has revenge on its mind after Florida State’s 31-17 win over the Tide to open the 2025 season.

🐅 ALEX GOLESH CHALLENGES AUBURN’S SPECIAL TEAMS
Auburn opens SEC play against the Florida Gators at Jordan-Hare Stadium, and special teams could become one of the biggest factors in the game. Florida playmaker Vernell Brown III returned two punts for touchdowns against Campbell, and Alex Golesh has emphasized the importance of Auburn winning those hidden-yardage battles. Can the Tigers keep Florida from flipping the game with an explosive special-teams play?

🔥 WHO HAS THE QUARTERBACK ADVANTAGE: AUBURN OR FLORIDA?
It’s Byrum Brown vs. Aaron Philo in one of the most intriguing quarterback matchups of the SEC weekend. Brown brings significantly more experience into Auburn’s conference opener, while Philo has been extremely productive through Florida’s first two games. Which quarterback is better equipped to handle the pressure when the Tigers and Gators meet under the lights at Jordan-Hare Stadium?

🐯 DOES OLE MISS REALLY BELIEVE SAM LEAVITT IS HURT?
The drama surrounding LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt continues ahead of Lane Kiffin’s return to Oxford. Leavitt was officially listed as doubtful on LSU’s first SEC availability report with a sore throwing shoulder — but ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that no one on the Ole Miss staff is convinced the designation is sincere or that Leavitt will actually miss Saturday’s game. Is LSU dealing with a legitimate quarterback injury, or should Ole Miss prepare as if Leavitt will be behind center?

🐔 SOUTH CAROLINA GETS ENCOURAGING INJURY NEWS
The Gamecocks could be getting two major reinforcements just in time for SEC play. Star edge rusher Dylan Stewart and transfer offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak were both listed as probable for South Carolina’s matchup against Mississippi State after missing the first two games of the season.

We break down all of those storylines, the biggest SEC matchups of the weekend, quarterback battles, injury reports, coaching comments and everything else you need to know around college football.

Join the conversation LIVE and let us know: Auburn or Florida at quarterback? Do you believe LSU’s Sam Leavitt injury report? And what should we expect from Alabama in its rematch with Florida State?

11:30 CT – Danny Kanell

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