Parker Brailsford injury update: Kalen DeBoer reveals latest ahead of Eastern Illinois

Even after the loss to Oklahoma on Saturday, Alabama still controls its own destiny. Two games remain on the schedule with an opportunity to make the College Football Playoff. First up is Eastern Illinois as Kalen DeBoer leads his team into Bryant-Denny Stadium one final time this season.

Unfortunately, there is an injury along the offensive line Alabama is dealing with. Starting center Parker Brailsford came out of the Oklahoma game dinged up. DeBoer provided the latest on him just days before kickoff.

“He’s a little bit up in the air with where he’s at for this week,” DeBoer said Wednesday on the SEC Coaches Teleconference. “Just from Saturday.”

Brailsford is one of the handful of players to follow DeBoer to Tuscaloosa from Washington. He has been a mainstay along the offensive line for two seasons now after winning the Joe Moore Award with the Huskies. His presence is a big one, no matter who the opponent is.

Of course, not many are going to predict Alabama to lose to Eastern Illinois, no matter Brailsford’s status. However, the following week would present a tough challenge. Auburn‘s record might not show it but the defense is among the best in college football. Facing DJ Durkin‘s group without Brailsford would lead to plenty of questions ahead of the Iron Bowl.

Unfortunately, there will be no SEC injury report this week for Alabama. Since this is a nonconference game, the Crimson Tide is not required to release any other information. So, for the time being, DeBoer’s word will have to do.

Inability to run the ball reasoning behind CFP ranking for Alabama

Alabama dropped six spots in Tuesday’s College Football Playoff rankings. A big point of contention, from a national perspective, was the Crimson Tide being placed behind Notre Dame. Both having the same record, CFP committee chair Hunter Yurachek explained the decision to the media afterward.

“You go back and look at Alabama’s game against South Carolina where they score two touchdowns late to win that game and then, the next game against LSU, where they won both of those but didn’t rush the ball for 100 yards,” Yurachek said. “And again, against Oklahoma, was not able to run the ball on the ground. So you think you look at the games that Alabama has struggled in, starting the season against Florida State where they struggled to [run] the ball.