Alabama Football: A quarterback competition no more in T-Town

For the Alabama football team, everything was not perfect Saturday night in Tuscaloosa. The Alabama Crimson Tide won convincingly, as was expected, 56-7. Most importantly Jalen Milroe was at times outstanding. Milroe’s five touchdowns were on three passes and two runs. Milroe contributed 242 of the Crimson Tide’s total of 431 yards in the game. Miroe’s touch and accuracy were impressive in the three touchdown tosses.

Milroe did not pitch a perfect game. He missed on a few passes, but his overall performance was more than solid and it suggested the still inexperienced QB could indeed become special this season.

By the time Tyler Buchner replaced Milroe in the third quarter, it was obvious any quarterback competition that will continue in Tuscaloosa has nothing to do with QB1.

After the game, Nick Saban was asked to comment on Milroe’s future performance. Nick Saban hates any question that requires speculation and his response was consistent. He picked up the Coke bottle on his podium and said it was not a crystal ball. Others will claim Saban did not show confidence in Milroe, but it was instead, Saban being Saban, responding to a type of question he always hates.

Elaborating on Milroe’s performance, Saban also said,

"It was good, he’s been playing good. Prepared well for the game and I thought he did a nice job out there. I’m sure he’ll learn a couple of things that will help him improve. We all got plays we can improve on."

Jalen Milroe’s story is far from written. But a chapter was finished Saturday night with Milroe slamming the door on another Tide QB winning the starting job this season.

Quarterback competition will continue for Alabama football’s QB2. Saturday night suggested Tyler Buchner is more than a little bit ahead of Ty Simpson. Except for mop-up duty, Nick Saban will not be rotating three guys at the position.

Alabama Football Game Notes

• Nick Saban said overall the offensive line played well. Crimson Tide rushers gained a sack-adjusted 5.8 yards per carry.
• Saban admitted the tight end group is much improved.
• Per Saban, the team “answered the bell the way we wanted them to”
• Two stats are particularly impressive. Alabama had just two penalties for a total of 19 yards. The Crimson Tide had zero turnovers and was plus-2 in turnover margin.

Opposite of Perfect

Malachi Moore and Jaylen Key incurred injuries. Nothing more will be known until Monday. Kool-Aid McKinstry went to the medical tent after a blow to the head. Also, recent rumors that Ja’Cory Brooks was not in full favor of the coaching staff appeared to be accurate. After the game, Nick Saban disclosed Brooks had been suspended for the first half of the game.

Note: Game stats provided by statbroadcast.com

The full post-game media session can be seen below.

As every Alabama fan knows, next up is Texas. Without commenting on the Longhorns, Saban pointed out the Tide’s receivers must still improve in creating separation. But the good news is there were zero drops against MTSU.