Beating any Alabama football team, even last season's 9-4 team, nearly always requires outstanding performance from opposing quarterbacks. An exception from last season was the Michigan game, when the Crimson Tide did a good job of beating itself.
Even Jackson Arnold, who disappointed Oklahoma fans last season, had a huge rushing game in the Tide's loss to the Sooners.
The Alabama Crimson Tide defense is expected to be more formidable in the upcoming season. One way it will have to be is containing mobile quarterbacks that evade pressure and make yards despite the Tide 'D' taking away their first designed option.
Multiple Alabama opponents have quarterbacks who can create big plays with their arms, feet, and brains. Transfer starter Billy Edwards Jr. at Wisconsin does not fit that description. Edwards is a capable passing QB. In his third season at Maryland, he completed 65% of his passes, with 15 touchdown passes and nine interceptions.
Luke Fickell fired Offensive Coordinator Phil Longo and replaced him with former Kansas OC, Jeff Grimes. Grimes is touted for a physical style. Speaking of Grimes and changes to the Wisconsin offense, Fickell said, "I really do feel like we’ve got the identity that fits us. It’s not completely all the way old-school, but I think the idea of being more multiple and truly understanding what physicality-first looks like."
There was no real quarterback competition in Madison, with Fickell deciding early on to go with Edwards as the starter. He must see potential that others miss. Josh Pate recently ranked the top 10 Big Ten QBs. Edwards did not make the list. Alabama football fans will be interested to know that Tennessee's former $8M QB, Nico Iamaleava, was ranked No. 10.
Alabama Football and Opposing Quarterbacks
More interesting for Alabama Crimson Tide fans is a ranking of 2025 opposing quarterbacks by Chase Goodbread. Goodbread is a knowledgeable source. Goodbread has Billy Edwards ranked above four SEC quarterbacks that Alabama will face. The four are Georgia's Gunner Stockton, Auburn's Jackson Arnold, Tennessee's Joey Aguilar, and Missouri's Beau Pribula. Also ranked below Edwards among Alabama opposing QBs was FSU's big-talking Thomas Castellanos.
Mark me down for a prediction that Alabama will easily beat Wisconsin with the Crimson Tide getting two or more picks on Billy Edwards. But if Chase Goodbread is correct, taking Edwards too lightly might be a mistake.