Alabama Football: Five Bold Predictions for Crimson Tide in November
By Ronald Moody
Hurts needed for a big win after Tua injury scare
Once Tua Tagovailoa threw a 41-yard bomb to Devonta Smith for the Tide’s seventeenth national championship, Jalen Hurts time as a starting quarterback at Alabama football appeared done. After Saban named Tagovailoa the starter, Jalen did not pack up and high tail it out of Tuscaloosa. Instead, he remained, concentrating on gradually improving in the passing game. The simple guidance of quarterback coach Dan Enos has paid enormous dividends for Hurts, as he is noticeably more comfortable in the pocket.
Once games have gotten out of hand, Saban pulls Tua and inserts Jalen. Suffering a high ankle sprain against Tennessee required minor surgery for the junior. Jalen will factor heavily in one of the Tide’s big games in November against LSU, Mississippi State or Auburn.
Just like Tua, Jalen is not easily rattled. If he had to step in for an injured Tua in Death Valley, it would not be a problem, considering he mounted Alabama on his shoulders and led the Tide to a 10-0 victory in 2016.
The experienced quarterback keeps the championship run intact if anything were to occur to Tagovailoa.