Why Jalen Milroe is Alabama’s best quarterback option as the Tide battle with more pressing issues on offense
The quarterback situation in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, is a nightmare, but the offensive line play hasn’t helped things.
On Saturday, No. 13 Alabama was expected to be given some comfort against South Florida. The game was expected to clear up the quarterback situation after Jalen Milroe, who had started the first two games of the season, was benched by Nick Saban following a 34-24 loss to No. 3 Texas in Week 2. That did not happen as the Crimson Tide battled to a 17-3 victory.
Notre Dame Transfer Tyler Buchner started the game and completed 5-of-14 passes for 34 yards before redshirt freshman Ty Simpson took his turn. So, the problem is solved, right? No, the problem was worsened as Simpson went 5 of 9 for 73 yards. Granted, he helped lead the Crimson Tide to victory, but the fact that it was a one-score game into the last minute against a 34-point underdog is unacceptable.
Saban said Monday that Milroe will return to the starting lineup after Buchner and Simpson faltered. This was the right — and possibly only — move the famous Alabama had in his arsenal.
Where the Tide goes from here with Milroe getting snaps depends on the offensive line, not him. Alabama has allowed 12 sacks in three games, ranking 13th in the SEC and 126th nationally. Five came last weekend against a significantly outmanned Bulls team. Five more came against the Longhorns, and Milroe avoided adding to that number due to his athleticism both inside and outside the pocket.
The Tide’s offensive line issues are not limited to this season. They were 13th in the SEC in sacks allowed in 2021 (41) despite a significant improvement from last year (22). However, the 63 tackles for loss allowed last season raised concerns going into the season. Saban highlighted this evident issue during the victory over South Florida.
“We need to get that fixed because that was an area that’s been a consistent problem for us all year,” he said. “Last week, sacks; this week, sacks. You know, those are drive killers, and we must eradicate them.”
Milroe should not have been benched. Poor offensive line play is part of the Crimson Tide’s identity at this time. It is now evident that Saban and the offensive staff, especially offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, attempted to compel their best quarterback option to be something he is not rather than developing a system that highlights his skills.
Saban made the proper decision by turning back to Jalen Milroe.
No. 15 Ole Miss comes to Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, and the Rebels are the last team Saban wants to see at this stage in the season. The Rebels average 526.7 yards per game, a conference-best 8.19 yards per play, and 52.7 points per game. This is despite nagging ailments to standout running back Quinshon Judkins and wide receiver Tre Harris. Sure, the Rebels have eaten cupcakes, but Alabama didn’t even get dessert last week after a 17-point loss in Tampa, Florida.
From a coaching standpoint, we know that Ole Miss coach (and former Tide offensive coordinator) Lane Kiffin regards this rivalry quite differently than other SEC West matchups. More crucially, Ole Miss first-year defensive coordinator Pete Golding is familiar with Saban, Milroe, and Simpson from his five-year time coaching the Tide’s defense (2018-22). Saban did not terminate Golding last year, but he did open the front door and direct Golding to the frame in anticipation of his departure from the program.
With that said, Saban has been forced to return to Milroe to see whether he can lead the Tide back to the College Football Playoffs.
