Paul Finebaum assesses what Jalen Milroe's play did for Alabama heading into Texas matchup
Following an offseason where the quarterback position was closely watched and in question, Nick Saban decided to roll with Jalen Milroe under center for Alabama in their Week 1 opener versus Middle Tennessee State.
Milroe delivered, helping the Crimson Tide secure a 56-7 win by dazzling with his arm and his legs. And following his performance, college football analyst Paul Finebaum reacted to Milroe’s showing on ‘McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning’.
“I felt very good Cole watching what we all saw, and I think Jalen Milroe gained confidence and I think most Alabama fans now know there is someone to come in to replace him if needed and he’s very capable and confident,” Finebaum said. “I don’t think there’s any question, (Tyler) Buchner looks like he understands the quarterback position very well, naturally he seems to adapt.”
Milroe was the engine of Alabama’s offense and was efficient, completing 72.2% of his passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns plus 48 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.
He looked very comfortable in new offense coordinator Tommy Rees‘ offense, and the dominant play of both sides of the ball for Alabama allowed their other quarterbacks to get some playing time as well.
Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner entered the game late in the third quarter and led the Alabama offense on two separate drives, completing three of his five pass attempts for 27 yards and manning a drive in the fourth quarter that was capped off by a nine-yard touchdown run, his first ever for the Crimson Tide.
Ty Simpson also saw some action on one series and ended his lone drive in the same fashion, punching in a one-yard touchdown run that represented the final score of the ball game.
But all eyes will be on Milroe in Week 2 as the Crimson Tide host the Texas Longhorns in one of the biggest matchups of the entire college football season, which Finebaum also spoke on.
“I think all the questions about Milroe last year may pop back up again, the moment that he makes a turnover. But since he didn’t do that, there was more of an exhale. But I’d rather go into the Texas game with a high degree of confidence, and I think Alabama looked as good as anybody in the SEC over the weekend, than trying to figure out who your quarterback is going to be,” Finebaum concluded.
Milroe is familiar with the Longhorns as a Texas native that was actually committed to the school before flipping to Alabama.
There’s no doubt he passed his first test as Alabama’s starting quarterback, but the stakes will raise exponentially in Week 2, as Alabama squares off with Texas on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET in a star-studded matchup airing on ESPN.