For better or worse, Alabama football's success is tied to Jalen Milroe's success. Where he goes, so too will this football team. Saturday night in Baton Rouge was a reminder that, when playing to his full potential, Milroe can take this team pretty far.
The version of Milroe we saw against LSU is good enough to lead Alabama to a national championship.
Alabama went into Baton Rouge with its playoff lives on the line, but I think most Tide fans weren't convinced this team was good enough - or deserving enough - of inclusion in the playoff. A 42-13 rout of LSU, in one of the most difficult environments in college football, completely flipped that narrative. Not only is this team good enough to make the playoff. It's capable of winning the whole thing.
After this performance, it'll be hard to convince anyone that Milroe was 100% healthy throughout October. This was not the same player that took the field in Knoxville three weeks ago. Or if it was, Kalen DeBoer and Nick Sheridan got through to him that his best weapon is his legs, not his arm, and it's his legs that were going to be required for Alabama to reach its goals.
Milroe had looked apprehensive running the football in recent games. He looked decisive and explosive in Tiger Stadium. He ran for 185 yards, the third most ever by an Alabama QB. He scored four touchdowns, all on the ground. He scored from 39, 10, and 19 yards out in the first three quarters.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Milroe drove the nail in LSU's coffin. On a perfectly designed play, Milroe, with Justice Haynes as his lead blocker, burst through the middle of the LSU defense for a 72-yard touchdown that sent the Baton Rouge faithful heading for the exits. It was vintage Alabama football. Going on the road and dominating to the point that the final few minutes of the game are played in front of empty seats.
Milroe's legs were the story, but he was impressive as a passer. More than his meager 109 passing yards might indicate. He was decisive as a passer. He took what the defense gave him and didn't force anything. He checked it down to the running backs. Jam Miller was Alabama's leading receiver with 5 catches for 50 yards.
He took a shot down the field when the opportunity presented itself. His throw to Ryan Williams was put in a place for the freshman to make a play. It was slightly overthrown, but Williams got both hands on the ball. It should have been caught.
This was a fully formed version of Milroe. Completely in control of himself. He fully understood who he was as a player and what he had to do for his offense to have success. This version of Milroe is one of the best players in college football.
This version of Milroe can lead Alabama to a national championship.