‘Someone has to take’ Alabama’s starting QB job from Jalen Milroe

Alabama is less than two weeks out from their season opener and still hasn’t named a starting quarterback. While that may be the case, BamaOnline’s Tim Watts thinks that Nick Saban and his staff already have the framework prepared for how this is going to eventually play out.

Watts updates the quarterback battle currently going on in Tuscaloosa on Sunday on ‘Andy Staples On3’. In his opinion, he believes that redshirt sophomore Jalen Milroe will eventually be the pick based on his experience compared to the other two as well as previous decisions by Saban.

“I think Nick Saban and Tommy Rees have a feel for how it’s going to shake out in the first game. I don’t believe they’re a few weeks from kickoff and don’t have any inkling,” Watts explained. “You have to say Jalen Milroe right now with the first team. He’s got the most experience, he’s got the most game experience. He’s older and been in the system a lot longer. I think he’s going to get a first look.”

“If you look at Nick Saban’s history? That’s kind of been his M.O. before,” said Watts. “We’ve seen it with Blake Barnett, Jalen Hurts, Phillip Sims, AJ McCarron. You see guys sort of thrown out there and let them fend for themselves, see who’s going to react. Because the truth is you really don’t know how they’re going to react under the lights. It could be a little bit different.”

However, Watts doesn’t believe that they’re going to name a starter outright by the time they open the year on September 2nd. He expects that at least two or three will play in their first game if for no other reason than to draw out the choice and keep Texas on their toes for their matchup in the second game of the season.

“I think with Middle Tennessee? I think you’re going to see a couple guys play at least. You can’t go into Texas not knowing” said Watts. “Middle Tennessee will be a test but it’s not going to be the test that you’re preparing for. That team is good enough to win with Jalen or Ty (Simpson) or Dylan (Lonergan) or Tyler Buchner. They’re good enough to beat Middle Tennessee State. That’s not really the test. They’re trying to get them ready for Texas, the SEC, and all that. I have to think you see multiple guys.”

In the end, Milroe might end up in the driver’s seat and, therefore, in the top spot on their depth chart heading into the year. Even so, Watts does think that the Crimson Tide aren’t set on it yet and are waiting to see if anyone emerges, whether now or by the time they kickoff against the Longhorns, to potentially change their minds.

“I think it’s Jalen right now and it’s kind of what we expected. Somebody’s got to take it from Jalen in my opinion,” Watts stated. “There’s still a few weeks to go but I think Alabama kind of knows how this is going to play out.”

The post ‘Someone has to take’ Alabama’s starting QB job from Jalen Milroe appeared first on On3.