When it comes to the SEC, Danny Kanell is never shy at expressing his opinions and enjoys trolling the conference power teams whenever they slip on a banana peel.
But, while Kanell had some fun with Alabama after the 31-17 loss to his alma mater, Florida State, he is still a believer in the Crimson Tide and quarterback Ty Simpson. So much so, that Kanell is floating Simpson's name around for the Heisman Trophy after two great performances.
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"Ty Simpson, since that game, he's completed 41-of-46, that's 89% with several drops...like he's almost perfect, which is crazy," Kanell commented.
Simpson, after stumbling in Week 1 against the Seminoles, has been exceptional. He completed all 17 passes against UL-Monroe for 226 yards and three touchdowns, for a near-perfect QBR of 99.3. Against Wisconsin, Simpson was great again, going 24-of-29 for 382 yards and four touchdowns.
The performances have Kanell believing Alabama is back on track and Simpson is someone that deserves to be in the Heisman conversation.
"I thought he played well enough to win [against FSU], sure he missed some plays, but I didn't feel like that loss was on him. There weren't really a lot of guys running open," Kanell said. "I think Ty Simpson is very much in play for the Heisman Trophy. Like if he continues at this pace, he is on a tear. It feels like Ryan Williams is getting things going. I still think that ''Bama can win the SEC and I don't think that's crazy."
Obviously, there is a still a lot for Alabama to prove, starting on September 27 when the Crimson Tide travel to Athens for a showdown against Georgia. But the fact that the narrative about Simpson and Kalen DeBoer has changed so quickly since the loss to FSU is worth noting.
"[The FSU loss] lit a fire under them...they still haven't beaten anybody yet," Kanell concluded. "But I do feel like they're doing things that Nick Saban used to do when he was there and that's annihilate the opponents when they're supposed to."