​After a lengthy offseason, the Alabama Crimson Tide are set to open the 2026 season this Saturday at home against the East Carolina Pirates in Tuscaloosa.A game set to begin at 11 a.m. CT on ABC, Alabama enters Week 1 as a heavy favorite against East Carolina, and are a popular pick to win this game by multiple touchdowns. As a result, the Crimson Tide will likely see a number of backups see action in this game Saturday, especially should Alabama build a sizable lead in the first half. This will likely come on both sides of the ball, and could include multiple new faces to the roster this season through their 2026 high school recruiting class, as well as the transfer portal. A group of names that will be in focus Saturday afternoon, here are three storylines to monitor for the Crimson Tide during Alabama’s Week 1 game against East Carolina.How will Keelon Russell perform in debut as starting quarterback?After appearing in only two games last fall as a true freshman, Russell is set to start at quarterback for the first time Saturday against East Carolina after winning the job during the offseason. All eyes will be on Russell’s performance in Week 1, as the sophomore is likely set for a big showing against a Pirates defense that was among the best in the American a year ago, allowing only 20.1 points per game. Which Alabama freshmen will see playing time?Saturday’s game against East Carolina will likely see a number of newcomers to the Crimson Tide’s roster see time, in particular true freshmen. Some of the biggest names that could do so are Cederian Morgan, Xavier Griffin, and Trae’shawn Brown, as well as highly-touted running back EJ Crowell. How will Alabama run game perform against East Carolina front?Lastly, arguably no Alabama position group saw more turnover during the offseason than the offensive line, a unit which returns only one starter in Michael Carroll. That unit, as well as the running back room, will be in focus this Saturday coming off a down 2025 season on the ground, and it will be an immediate test against an East Carolina team which led the American a year ago by allowing only 120.2 yards per game on the ground.Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion.This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: 3 storylines for Alabama vs. East Carolina in Week 1 season opener