Tim Tebow: Ty Simpson continuing his 'lights out' play could sink Missouri in Week 7

Week 7 of the college football season is upon us, and we have one of the biggest matchups of the SEC season thus far on the docket. Alabama is heading to Columbia, where it will face an undefeated Missouri team.

The showdown will feature some of the conference’s brightest stars. The Crimson Tide will deploy Ty Simpson and Ryan Williams, while the Tigers have Ahmad Hardy and Zion Young to counter. Both teams are hoping to make a statement.

Ahead of all of the action, Tim Tebow joined The Paul Finebaum Show live on site. He loved up Simpson a bit while delivering a stern warning to the Missouri secondary not to take the Alabama offense lightly.

“The way Ty Simpson is playing right now, especially on third down, he has just been lights out the last five weeks,” Tebow proclaimed. “It’s a big challenge for this secondary. They switch coverages a lot. They play a lot of zone coverages. They get into man sometimes. So you know, you’ve got to do a really good job of being competitive with these receivers, but also not giving up the deep ball, because that killed Vanderbilt last week.”

Tebow’s assessment lends credence to what Alabama fans have seen over the past couple of weeks. Simpson has been fantastic in the Tide’s recent wins, totaling 1,478 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and just one interception, along with a pair of rushing scores.

He has Jordan Rodgers on his side as well. The ESPN analyst broke down the matchup on Get Up Friday morning, where he pointed to Alabama’s quarterback being the X-factor in the showdown.

“I think it’s Ty Simpson’s legs,” Rodgers said. “Missouri is really good at getting after the quarterback — Zion Young and Damon Wilson are two of the best in the country off the edge. But the X-factor all year has been Ty Simpson’s legs.

“He’s so good from the pocket, throws with great accuracy and anticipation, but he’s been lights out under pressure — lights out when blitzed, and lights out using his legs to pick up first downs and make plays outside the pocket. That, to me, is the difference. Ty’s playing at another level right now.”

Whoever comes out on top will be in an excellent position entering the second half of the SEC schedule. Kickoff is set for Noon ET on Saturday, with Alabama and Missouri battling in what promises to be one of the weekend’s marquee matchups, with Tebow and Rodgers watching Simpson close.