Paul Finebaum: The clock is ticking for Nick Saban to save Alabama's season
With each second, the water rises around the Crimson Tide. If Nick Saban isn’t careful, Alabama will drown. During an appearance on “The Matt Barrie Show” on Sunday, Paul Finebaum discussed the pressing issues in Tuscaloosa.
“There is no easy way to understand it,” Finebaum said. “I have friends that are calling for the fourth-string quarterback, who’s a promising freshman. I mean that’s how ridiculous this is.
“I sat with Nick Saban in Nashville and I have never heard a guy profess more love for a coach than he did for Tommy Rees. I’m not going to get too deep into the psychological world but he really believed that he saw something in this guy and I don’t know what Nick Saban saw in him.”
Nick Saban can’t find his quarterback
The quarterback position has been a thorn in Alabama’s side so far this season. Jalen Milroe started for the Tide in their first two weeks. However, following a disappointing performance in Alabama’s 34-24 loss to Texas, Saban sat Milroe on Saturday.
Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner took his place. Nonetheless, he looked no better than Milroe. Buchner completed just five of his 14 pass attempts for 34 yards. He recorded no touchdowns. Saban didn’t idly sit by.
The 71-year-old coach replaced Buchner midway through the contest with redshirt freshman QB Ty Simpson. The former five-star prospect didn’t look much better, tallying a mere five completions for 73 yards.
Alabama didn’t let the poor play behind center stop them. The team rattled off 203 rushing yards to ultimately squeeze out a win. Yet, the ugly victory over a subpar USF team is concerning for Alabama fans.
Time is running out
“What [Saban] really has to worry about now, Matt, is that locker room,” Finebaum said. “Everyone watching and listening knows that the players look to a quarterback. That’s the leader and now you have just completely made a disaster out of the most important position.
“[Saban] kind of looks like a grandfather that is at his grandson’s little league games and the guy that drops a pop fly and costs them the division and he walks up and hugs him and says, ‘I’m proud of you guys.’ I mean, that’s exactly what he said after the game.”
Finebaum believes Saban and Co. must put their trust back in Milroe, who boasted a fantastic Week 1. No matter who takes snaps for Alabama, Finebaum knows the program’s success will fall on Saban.
“He didn’t become the greatest coach of all time by accident,” Finebaum said. “The clock is ticking for him to save the season.”