Alabama’s quarterback room is receiving a valuable lesson before Saturday’s matchup.
All eyes will be on the Crimson Tide’s identity versus Middle Tennessee State, but Nick Saban wants the quarterbacks focused on not becoming overly involved with outcomes. The pressure of no longer having an all-world leader like Bryce Young is a marquee narrative that the national media is pushing. Alabama does not have that kind of playmaker at quarterback; however, it does not mean the guys on the roster are not good enough to lead this team to a College Football Playoff National Championship.
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Coach Saban sees improvement from each signal-caller, especially Ty Simpson. The former five-star is competing with Jalen Milroe to take the field first offensively for the Tide against the Blue Raiders. Simpson, a Tennessee native, has playmaking abilities in the passing game and athleticism to extend plays. Saban said Simpson and the quarterback room have improved by not getting overwhelmed by outcomes. He looks at a unit that has used its mistakes to create opportunities to learn and grow.
“Ty has done a good job,” Saban said Wednesday.
“All the quarterbacks have made significant improvement. I think Ty has improved. One of the hardest things to not get involved with is being outcome-oriented and showing your emotions when things don’t go like you want them to. That is one of the things that’s helped our quarterbacks, especially Ty, improve. Mistakes are opportunities to learn, get better, and grow.”
Middle Tennessee State returns a defensive secondary that will test Alabama’s passing game. The Blue Raiders recorded 20 interceptions in 2022, including 16 from its secondary. MTSU’s defensive backfield returned four picks for touchdowns.
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Decorian Patterson led the team with seven interceptions.
He left the team for the University of Central Florida via the NCAA transfer portal. Teldrick Ross returns after accounting for two interceptions and 20 pass breakups. Jakobe Thomas, a safety, is back as well. He had four interceptions — including one returned for a touchdown — and three breakups. The Crimson Tide’s quarterback room must be sharp in its decision-making and accuracy.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
