Paul Finebaum evaluates Alabama’s QB competition, names the favorite to start Week 1

Paul Finebaum has some interesting analysis when it comes to which quarterback will be the starter for the Alabama Crimson Tide in Week 1.

It’s the biggest question facing Nick Saban and company ahead of the season, as the trio of Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson and former Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner are battling it out. During an appearance on ESPN’s SportsCenter from SEC Media Days in Nashville, Finebaum explained how he would evaluate the Crimson Tide’s competition.

“You would probably have to go back to 2014, 2015 when Jake Coker came over from Florida State, and he didn’t win the job right away,” Finebaum stated, asked by ESPN’s Matt Barrie regarding the last time Alabama entered a season with this many question marks. “He barely lost the job the previous year to Jameis Winston, and Matt, there are myriad questions about this program. They still have enormous talent. Everyone knows that. Everybody can read the recruiting rankings. They won last year in that.

“But you have to wonder about the chemistry. I didn’t hear anything from Nick Saban that enlightened me, or made me feel better, that he’s closer to finding a quarterback.”

According to Finebaum, whichever of the three quarterbacks starts Week 1 won’t be the tell-tale sign of what’s to come, it’s who begins the game against the Texas Longhorns in Week 2 that’ll tell us who won the competition.

“By now, they’ve already — it’s not like Tyler Buchner, who came over from Notre Dame, hasn’t been seen by the coaches. They’ve seen him. They look out the window and watch what’s happening right now,” added Finebaum. “I think the real question for him is, he probably does not have the time to get the leadership qualities that he needs to command this team, so that makes most people believe that Jalen Milroe will be the first game starter.

“It’s who starts the second game Matt, against Texas, that may help determine the season.”

So Finebaum believes that Milroe’s familiarity with the system and starting a couple games last season gives him the leg up on Simpson and Buchner for Week 1, but it’ll be fascinating to see who starts that second game against Texas for the Crimson Tide.

That means Paul Finebaum believes the Alabama quarterback competition could rage into the regular season, so buckle up, it’s going to be an interesting ride in Tuscaloosa.

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