QB rotation vs. ULM was a test for Ty Simpson - one he passed with flying colors

It wasn't exactly a state secret that Kalen DeBoer was not overly happy with Ty Simpson's performance in the season opener against Florida State. Simpson was far from terrible - and he wasn't the reason for the Crimson Tide's two-touchdown loss to the Seminoles in Week 1 - but he also didn't do enough to swing the result in Alabama's favor, either.

At times, Simpson was hesitant. He didn't trust his reads. He didn't trust his protection. He abandoned clean pockets. He seemed scared to make a back-breaking mistake. DeBoer and OC Ryan Grubb wanted him to "let it rip" moving forward. They challenged him in the week leading up to the game against UL Monroe, letting him know that at some point, redshirt sophomore backup Austin Mack was going to rotate into the game.

It's a trick DeBoer and Grubb have used in the past, most recently at Fresno State with Jake Haener. It was successful then, and they hope it'll be successful again. The early returns were incredibly positive, with Simspon passing the test from the coaching staff with flying colors.

“It’s something I’ve done a number of times over the years, going way back,” DeBoer said. ... “It’s one of those that they kind of question, probably, at first — why? “But I think competition is just going to bring out the best in everyone, and I think that did that for Ty in his week of preparation."

Ty Simpson solidified his status as Alabama's QB1 in Week 2

Simpson set an Alabama record in completing all 17 of his pass attempts against UL Monroe. He threw for 226 yards and three touchdowns, adding another score on the ground.

Simpson led the Crimson Tide to touchdowns on the first four possessions of the game, building a 28-0 lead over the Warhawks before Mack got an opportunity. Mack led a touchdown drive in the second quarter before turning it back over to Simpson for the final drive of the first half. Simpson led another TD drive, capping off his night with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Horton, on what might have been the most impressive throw of his career thus far:

Simpson looked much more confident in what he was doing in Week 2. It obviously helps playing an inferior opponent, but there's also just no substitute for experience. Simpson entered Week 1 against Florida State with very little actual game experience. He'll enter Week 3 against Wisconsin with real experience under his belt, and he'll look to stack another strong week of practice with another big-time performance on Saturday.

Simpson solidified his standing as the team's QB1 moving forward. If Alabama can continue getting a confident, assertive version of Simpson moving forward, then this team has a limitless ceiling.