Nick Saban Unsure on Plan for Quarterbacks in Saturday's Season Opener
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — It's officially game week in Tuscaloosa.
The No. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide opens its season against Middle Tennessee State on Saturday night. The biggest question? Who will play quarterback for the Crimson Tide? How will head coach Nick Saban substitute the quarterbacks in and out?
Right now — that plan is to be determined.
"I don't have any expectations for that right now," Saban said. "We're going one day at a time and we're repping the players. Even regardless of what happens in this game, it's the same thing that I told you guys before — just because whoever starts the first game, that doesn't mean you don't have to continue to compete and play throughout the season. Because the competition doesn't end with the first game — at any position, including quarterback. My expectation is, 'What can we do to get them better today,' so that we can play better the next day and the next day. And then when the game comes, we'll be playing as well as we need to be playing to create value for themselves as players as well as our team to be able to have success."
It's highly likely that redshirt sophomore Jalen Milroe will start Saturday's game against the Blue Raiders. Saban said that he has seen a lot of progress from Milroe since last season.
"I think Jalen has made a significant amount of improvement," Saban said. "I think he's more comfortable in the pocket, I think that he has more confidence in the way [that] he executes and the way he plays. He's been more consistent in the way he's played. I think that's going to be the key to the drill for him — to be able to maintain that consistency in every practice so that he is developing the kind of habits that are going to carry over to the game and help him be successful."
Unlike most programs in the country on Monday, Saban didn't release a depth chart. We will have to wait and see who lines up where for Alabama on Saturday night.
Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
See Also:
Nick Saban Says Depth Chart Creates Unwanted Distraction
How to Watch Week 1: Middle Tennessee at Alabama
2023 Alabama Football Early Opponent Preview | Game 1: Middle Tennessee State
