Why Jalen Milroe remains Alabama’s best QB option as Tide struggle with more pressing issue on offense

No. 13 Alabama used to be intended to be equipped a way of convenience on Saturday towards South Florida. The recreation used to be intended to carry readability to the quarterback place after Jalen Milroe, who had began the primary two video games of the season, used to be benched via Nick Saban following the 34-24 loss to No. 3 Texas in Week 2. That did not occur as the Crimson Tide struggled to a 17-3 win.

Notre Dame switch Tyler Buchner began the sport and went 5-of-14 passing with 34 passing yards sooner than redshirt freshman Ty Simpson took his flip. Problem solved, proper? Nope, the issue used to be exacerbated as Simpson went 5 of 9 for 73 yards. Granted, he helped lead the Crimson Tide to the win, however the truth that it used to be a one-score recreation into the overall minute towards a 34-point underdog is unacceptable.

Now, it is again to sq. one after Saban introduced Monday that Milroe will go back to the beginning position after Buchner and Simpson struggled. This used to be the proper — and probably simplest — transfer the mythical Alabama had in his arsenal.

Where the Tide pass from right here with Milroe taking the snaps does not essentially rely on him, moderately it has to do with the offensive line. Alabama has given up 12 sacks thru 3 video games — thirteenth within the SEC and 126th within the country. Five got here final weekend towards a vastly out-manned Bulls workforce. Five more got here towards the Longhorns, whilst Milroe have shyed away from more tallies being added on that overall due to his athleticism outside and inside the pocket.

The Tide’s offensive line issues don’t seem to be unique to this season, both. They completed thirteenth within the SEC in sacks allowed in 2021 (41) in spite of the marked growth in sacks allowed final yr (22). The 63 tackles for loss allowed final season have been reason for worry heading into the season, on the other hand. Saban addressed this obtrusive issue after the win over South Florida.

“We need to get that fixed because that was an area that’s been a consistent problem for us all year,” Saban stated. “Last week with the sacks, this week with the sacks. You know, those are drive killers and we’ve got to eliminate that.”

Milroe will have to by no means were benched. Poor offensive line play is a part of the id of the Crimson Tide program at this level. It’s transparent now that Saban and the offensive personnel, together with offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, attempted to drive their best quarterback option to be one thing he isn’t moderately than broaden an offense that accentuates his strengths.

Saban made the precise name turning again to Jalen Milroe

No. 15 Ole Miss visits Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, and the Rebels are the final workforce Saban desires to look at this level within the season. The Rebels are averaging 526.7 yards according to recreation, a conference-best 8.19 yards according to play and 52.7 issues according to recreation. This all in spite of nagging accidents that experience hampered megastar operating again Quinshon Judkins and huge receiver Tre Harris. Sure, the Rebels have feasted on cupcakes, however Alabama did not even earn dessert final week amid the 17-point clunker in Tampa, Florida. 

From a training facet, we all know that Ole Miss trainer (and previous Tide offensive coordinator) Lane Kiffin treats this matchup a lot other than customary SEC West video games. More importantly, although, is Ole Miss first-year defensive coordinator Pete Golding’s familiarity with Saban, Milroe and Simpson after his five-year stint operating the Tide’s protection (2018-22). Saban did not hearth Golding final yr, however let’s simply say he opened the entrance door and guided Golding to the body in anticipation of him leaving this system. 

With all of that stated, Saban has been pressured to return to Milroe whether or not he can information the Tide to a College Football Playoff go back or now not. 

Buchner has been a curler coaster all the way through his profession now not simplest at Alabama however at Notre Dame final yr when he began 3 video games and threw more interceptions (5) than touchdowns (3). Simpson has a restricted pattern dimension and is not cell sufficient to evade inevitable force. Buchner could make some performs with his toes however trusting him to make right kind choices below force is not sensible. 

Milroe can a minimum of stay Alabama within the recreation. His 92 speeding yards and two speeding touchdowns thru two video games proved that he can transfer the chains and supply a minimum of a small spark to a suffering offense. If Rees and Saban tailor that offense to Milroe’s strengths, the Tide can have an opportunity to take care of with the Rebels in what’s going to most probably be a point-per-minute affair. If now not, it’ll be an excessively lengthy season in T-Town.

There aren’t any excellent choices, simplest sub-optional ones. Milroe is the best of the ones choices this week towards Ole Miss and transferring ahead.