Well, the news is now official,
So where does Alabama go from here? Hopefully to the playoffs as planned. Only now there will be a different quarterback, a different game plan and different odds.
If there is a silver lining in any of this, and believe me, it’s hard to see it for most Bama fans, let me explain what it is.
Mac Jones will have a game and half working with the first team offense to hone his skills and prepare for Auburn. Secondly, Auburn looked pretty pedestrian at home against Georgia this weekend and if Mac can do what he did against Arkansas, Alabama could still coast into the playoffs with a little help and from there, anything is possible.
One thing is for sure, the Iron Bowl with Auburn will certainly be “must see tv” for most of the nation. Many teams will be hoping the Tide can’t roll without Tua besides Auburn and fans across the country will be tuned in to see how things go.
Alabama will have a better chance defeating Auburn than taking on Clemson or Ohio State in the first round of the playoffs, but should they survive that contest, then you just have to wonder how high their confidence level could actually get.
No matter what happens, this is Mac Jones chance to have his “name writ in Crimson flame” as Alabama’s fight song goes. His play will be the key factor in how far Alabama goes from here. A decisive win at Auburn could keep them at number four.
As for next season? Will Tua come back to finish what he started? Will he simply rehab and move on to the NFL? Those are questions we’ll just have to wait to see just like how well Mac will finish Alabama’s season.
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Larry Burton has been published in almost every media outlet for college sports and now primarily writes here for Touchdown Alabama. Follow Larry on Twitter for inside thoughts and game time comments at https://twitter.com/LBSportswriter
