It may not make a world of difference one way or the other for third-ranked and heavily favored Alabama as they take on No. 23 Penn State, but the Tide will be playing without wide receiver Duron Carter, who was only recently given the green light to enroll in the school and begin practicing with the team.
It began with a vague tweet from Carter (@DC_CHILLIN_8) this morning that said simply “Not playing... Complications”, with Bama beat writer Izzy Gould confirming that report a short time later.
Whatever the “complications” are, they may have happened only recently -- as in yesterday -- as coach Nick Saban said Carter was in the Tide’s game plan for today.
Both teams are 1-0 heading into today’s game. Alabama defeated Kent State 48-7; Penn State toppled Indiana State 41-7.
UPDATED 1:43 p.m. ET: an official statement from Alabama says the school is still waiting on documents for Carter to be certified. Carter can practice with the team while he waits, but cannot play.