Jacob Coker Vs. Blake Sims: Alabama Football Fans Are Choosing Sides

The quarterback situation at Alabama is still somewhat murky after the Tide hosted a glorified scrimmage against Florida Atlantic on Saturday. But a few things are becoming clear about the competition.

Blake Sims clearly did nothing to hurt his case on Saturday, going 11-of-13 for 214 yards (a great many of those after the catch) and two touchdowns. It’s clear he can use his feet to bail out the offense, something very few Tide quarterbacks in the modern era have been able to do.

it does seem clear that Sims hasn’t exactly won the job, but doesn’t appear to be losing it.

Jacob Coker, meanwhile, finally got significant minutes, and his status is more clear. He’s bigger and stronger, with a cannon arm. He’s not afraid to stand in the pocket under pressure, or to lower his shoulder for an extra yard. Coker settled down as the game went on, but still seemed unable to manage the game as well or run the offense as well as Sims.

While things can change over the next couple of weeks, it does seem clear that Sims hasn’t exactly won the job, but doesn’t appear to be losing it.

There’s also one other thing that’s becoming increasingly clear as Southern Miss week begins:

People are choosing sides.

Fans can be forgiven for having favorites. They have no actual stake in the game and no vote in the ultimate decision. Some fans think Coker is the future, and they may be right if he continues to progress. Other fans insist Sims is the present, having earned the job through some combination of longevity and steadiness.

Still other fans seem to have an agenda, whether anyone wants to admit it or not. We’ve already said as much as we’re going to say about it, lest we be accused (again) of stirring up trouble. But denying its presence is delusional.

Some in the sports media have been choosing sides as well. Long before the season started, some in the media were anointing Coker the savior of Alabama football. And during Saturday’s SEC Network broadcast of the Florida Atlantic game, former Heisman trophy winner Andre Ware used his color commentary gig to brazenly campaign for Sims.

Ware suggested, among other things, that Tide players had their own favorite, and would play harder for the quarterback they felt had earned the job. One former Alabama player seemed to agree:

To their credit, both Coker and Sims have had nothing but praise for each other. That’s likely to continue no matter which wins the job. It’s clear that Saban has these young men playing like members of a team, with each looking to do what they can to help the larger goal.

Nick Saban himself has expressed little interest in anyone’s opinion but his and that of the team:

The quarterback situation at Alabama is still, for the time being, unclear. But as the situation begins to crystallize, fans of one quarterback or another will have to put their preferences aside. One man will win the job, and once again, Alabama fans will all be on one side – the side wearing crimson.