Alabama Football: Four things to look for in second Tide scrimmage

Alabama football conducts its final fall scrimmage Saturday. Several critical questions should receive closure once the closed practice concludes.

The last fall scrimmage will resemble a game like atmosphere. The finale allows Alabama football head coach Nick Saban to thoroughly digest the play of his team heading into the season opener against Louisville. Team focus and mental fortitude will definitely top his list on items to sharpen the team.

Alabama Football Quarterback Battle

Saban emphatically said whoever wins the team will become the starting quarterback.

Last Saturday, rumors imply that Tua Tagovailoa was en fuego. Tossing four touchdowns with no interceptions, the smooth lefty gained jarring momentum towards the starting quarterback position.

On the contrary, Jalen Hurts did not throw any touchdowns but chucked three interceptions. A colossal decision rests in the hands of the grizzled coach. Everyone has an opinion on which path Saban should proceed. Jalen brings stability but severely limits the offense. An astonishing talent with just a small sample size, Tua brings balance to the offense.

Both quarterbacks can win. However, Saban mentioning that Tua was 54-for-58 in practices leading up to Clemson game still astounds me.

Defensive backfield troubles

New defensive coordinator Tosh Lupoi needs his secondary settled before their season opener against Louisville. Cardinals head coach Bobby Petrino will hurl the ball fifty times if can expose the secondary’s inexperience.

Saban received a question regarding defensive backs during Thursday’s press conference,

"“I think that probably the two guys that have played with the most consistency out there are Trevon Diggs and Xavier McKinney. Those two guys have been pretty consistent all along. Everybody else has been a little up and down. And, to me, everybody else’s positions is still, there’s competition at all the rest of the positions. How we fit the guys around those two guys remains to be determined.”"

Praise for only Diggs and McKinney reveals that Saban is not entirely happy with the growth of the other defensive backs. He mentioned communication and breakdowns as a few of his frustrations.

Is Patrick Surtain II making his expected move? The freshman replaced Shyheim Carter at the star position on the first team during the media viewing period.

How does the rest of the secondary shape up?

Special Teams Consistency

With three seconds remaining in the championship game, Andy Pappanastos shanked the potential game-winning 36-yard field goal to the left. An Achilles heel for Alabama football since Jeremy Shelley’s departure in 2012, kicking consistency needs to improve dramatically.

Two new kickers are contending in camp, Temple transfer Austin Jones and redshirt freshman Joseph Bulovas. How does Saban utilize them? Will one be a short field goal kicker and the other long range? Bulovas displayed a strong leg in the A-Day game drilling five field goals, including a 48-yarder.

Diggs and Ruggs III accounted for 69 percent of last season’s kick and punt return yardage. Neither player resembled a threat. Will electrifying Waddle replace one of the two?

Former Tide punter J.K. Scott’s ability to flip the field garnered praise from Saban. Can Skyler Delong produce the same result?

Defensive Line Depth

Raekwon Davis, Isaiah Buggs and Quinnen Williams make up the first unit. LaBryan Ray, Phidarian Mathis and Johnny Dwight are solid rotational players.

Top freshman defensive end  Stephon Wynn Jr. suffered a non-surgical ligament strain in practice. Expect the strong side defensive end to miss considerable time.

Christian Barmore and Tevita Musika are vital to providing key depth at an area that is considerably thin. If any more injuries occur, these younger players will need to step up.

Iron sharpens iron. The road to the Alabama football eighteenth national championship begins after this final scrimmage. The path will not be paved in gold.