Alabama Football: Nick Saban’s calculation or desperation

College football fans and especially Alabama football fans have an aversion to doubt. At this point in time, the collective capacity for doubt is being tested.

Alabama, considering adding a transfer quarterback, was not a big surprise. Taking a basically unproven one was.

So what does the addition of Tyler Buchner mean to the Crimson Tide’s championship chances? There is no consensus. Some call Nick Sabn’s move another of his wise calculations. Others claim it signals a level of desperation about the quarterback position, if not the entire Alabama Football offense.

There are fair conclusions that can be made. But after making them, doubt will persist. No one, including the GOAT, knows how it will play out.

One conclusion is provided by a Nick Saban comment.

"We felt like we needed to add some competition in the room."

An interpretation is easy. Coming out of spring, Saban was not convinced any of his four QBs could lead the Crimson Tide to championships. What is far from easy to understand is why Saban believes Tyler Buchner could be the solution.

Apparently, while Nick Saban was the decider, in the Buchner decision and the evaluation of the four other quarterbacks, much value was given to the opinion of Tommy Rees. The OC and Quarterback coach should have considerable input, but Rees is not yet at the level Lane Kiffin and Steve Sarkisian were when they were Crimson Tide OCs.

Nick Saban is making a risky calculation. Hiring Rees was a bold move, given his limited experience. Potentially affecting team chemistry with a post-spring player addition could lead one or more Tide QBs to transfer.

Much has been said about the Crimson Tide offense going back to earlier roots. A more physical offensive line and a deep and talented running back bench can be productive while taking some pressure off the starting QB. Perhaps a comparison is 2015 and Jake Coker.

An effective 2023 Alabama football offense may not need a game-changer at quarterback. Instead, a game-managing approach, minimizing mistakes and bad decisions could get the Crimson Tide back to the Playoff.

Would such an approach be enough to win two championships? Maybe. It is possible, in some areas even probable, that every Crimson Tide position group, except quarterback, will be better than last season. Perhaps not in week two, but later in the season, Nick Saban, Kevin Steele and Tommy Rees may have built a championship team.

Check out the video below for Josh Pate’s comments on the same subject.

Alabama fans can have doubts and at the same time, still trust Nick Saban.