Alabama played two quarterbacks in its victory over South Florida, and none were Jalen Milroe.
Tyler Buchner, a transfer from Notre Dame, started the matchup.
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He did not suffer a sack, but Buchner could not establish any chemistry in the passing game. He completed five of 14 passes for 34 yards and looked out of sync. Alabama could not move the ball offensively with Buchner and South Florida stayed in the game.
The Crimson Tide went to Ty Simpson, a redshirt freshman, late in the second quarter. He started putting the Tide’s offense in position to score. The former five-star assisted Alabama on a drive that tied the game at three going into halftime. He led an 84-yard drive in the third quarter that included a 45-yard pass to CJ Dippre at tight end. Simpson guided the Tide to a touchdown on the drive, propelling it to a 10-3 lead. He would produce a second 80+ yard drive in the fourth quarter that ended with him scoring a rushing touchdown. Simpson completed five of nine passes for 73 yards, but the offense looked comfortable with him.
Milroe brings elite athleticism, but has Simpson gained ground as someone who gives the team its best chance to have a successful season? He showed some promise against the Bulls, but we will see the evaluation process from Nick Saban.
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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.
