Alabama Football: 5 Reasons Alabama May Not Win the 2018 Championship

1. Quarterback Not Resolved

Since the confetti fell from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, fans have felt that Tua Tagovailoa was the de facto quarterback for Alabama. His ability to enter the game in the second half, replacing an ineffective Jalen Hurts, and shred Georgia’s defense was the stuff of legends.

He brought energy and confidence to an offense that was lacking. The lefty threw the football all over the field completing passes to many different receivers.  Tua’s boldness showed when after taking a 16-yard sack on the first play of overtime, he delivered a perfect strike to Devonta Smith for the game-winner.

Could Jalen have made those plays? We will never know. While Tagovailoa was out for the spring after injuring his left hand in practice, Hurts never solely took hold of the quarterback position. There appeared to be little improvement from the end of his sophomore season through the spring.

Fans moaned when he took off after the first read instead of going through his progressions. Hurts can get away with this style of play against average teams but against stiffer defenses, the junior struggles mightily.

Against LSU, Mississippi State, Auburn Clemson, and Georgia, his stats were 52 of 97 for 678 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions.

The Tide can win with either player at quarterback. However, the battle needs to be resolved to prevent a divided locker room.

Next: Five Reasons the Tide Will Win the '18 Championship

Do not expect the Tide to fold. Nick Saban has built his Alabama teams to make opponents quit, and there will be more resigning this season.