Fireworks are ready to happen under the night sky at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.
A highly anticipated rivalry in the Southeastern Conference with major postseason implications takes place at 6:30 p.m. CT between Alabama and LSU on ABC. The winner continues its push for the College Football Playoff, while the loser kisses its dreams of being in the 12-team dance goodbye.
Nick Saban, a former head coach at both schools, shared what he thinks is the most glaring issue between Jalen Milroe and Garrett Nussmeier as quarterbacks for both teams on ESPN’s College GameDay.
Saban feels both guys need to manage the game better.
“That’s the biggest problem with these guys: they want to make plays,” Saban said. “But they don’t need to be shooting guard mentality. They need a point guard mentality. Have 13 assists in a game and no turnovers, and that’s good quarterback play.”
Saban is speaking in basketball terms for Milroe and Nussmeier, but it makes perfect sense. The idea of a quarterback is to distribute the ball to his playmakers and let them do the work. Milroe and Nussmeier have gotten themselves into trouble with turnovers because of trying to do too much.
They need to make the simple plays and trust the guys around them to help out.
Milroe, in particular, pressed too much to make plays versus South Carolina and Tennessee, and it led to four interceptions.
Alabama LB says Crimson Tide’s defense is coming to Baton Rouge with ‘violent intentions’
He had 45 pass attempts against the Volunteers, resulting in a 17-24 loss to Tennessee.
The native Texan has to be at his best making the simple plays, commanding the team with great leadership on the play, and managing each situation well. We will see if Milroe propels the Crimson Tide out of “Death Valley” with a victory.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
