Middle Tennessee State faces No.4 Alabama on Saturday, September 2, 2023 (9/2/23) at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
Alabama coach Nick Saban didn’t reveal his No. 1 quarterback this week or any other starter for that matter. Saban canceled the annual opening week depth chart reveal party heading into the fourth-ranked Crimson Tide’s Saturday night debut against Middle Tennessee State.
It’s no surprise that he wanted to keep the quarterback pecking order under wraps. Saban will let everyone know ... right about game time. It’s been a battle among 2022 backup Jalen Milroe, former five-star recruit Ty Simpson and Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner. They are all vying to replace No. 1 NFL draft pick Bryce Young. One thing that Saban has made clear: He who starts first isn’t guaranteed of starting last. That goes for every position, and thus his broken tradition of letting staffers distribute that pesky piece of paper just before his noon news conference on Monday, which he says can be a distraction for some players. “I think most of the players on our team know who should start in the game and who shouldn’t start,” Saban said. “But that’s something that they do day to day in terms of the way they compete and the way they play. And nobody’s entitled to play just because we put it on a piece of paper and say this is the way it is today.” Alabama is a nearly 40-point favorite in this game, according to FanDuel Sportsbook with a showdown looming next week against No. 11 Texas. Middle Tennessee went 8-5 last season and won its last four games. “They’ve got a lot of good players but we’ve got a lot of good players too,” Blue Raiders coach Rick Stockstill said. “I believe in our team.”It’s an open question, though Milroe did start the Texas A&M game last season when Young was injured. He’s a playmaker as a runner as well. Buchner opened and closed last season as Notre Dame’s starter with a shoulder injury sidelining him in between. Buchner followed offensive coordinator Tommy Rees from South Bend to Tuscaloosa. Simpson has the least experience among them but was a prized recruit. Of course, it wouldn’t be all that surprising if the competition continues beyond Game 1.Alabama, which has often opened with neutral site games in recent seasons, has a 21-game winning streak in home openers. The Tide has won 20 straight at Bryant-Denny Stadium going back to 2019 and won 56 consecutive nonconference regular-season games.Middle Tennessee picked up its first win over a ranked opponent in 21 tries with last season’s 45-31 win over No. 25 Miami. Now, the Blue Raiders are heading to 100,000-seat Bryant-Denny Stadium, but Stockstill says he doesn’t “make a big deal out of that kind of stuff.”There are plenty of new Tide players beyond Buchner who could play meaningful roles right away. Saban and teammates have consistently praised freshmen like safety Caleb Downs and Kadyn Procter, who has been competing to start at left tackle. Backfield depth could come from five-star freshmen Justice Haynes and/or Richard Young. The group of potential playmakers among the newcomers also includes wide receiver Malik Benson, a junior college transfer.Middle Tennessee has been adept at forcing turnovers. The Blue Raiders ranked first nationally in turnovers gained in 2021 and second last season. Those numbers include a two-year total of 37 interceptions. Saban and the Tide are hoping that aggressiveness opens up some big-play chances for the offense, too. It’s a group that includes receivers Ja’Corey Brooks and Jermaine Burton and tailbacks Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams.Cayden Steele may be reached atIf you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. By browsing this site, we may share your information with our social media partners in accordance with our
Please follow us on Google to support usUnited States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
No. 4 Alabama keeps starting QB under wraps as the opener against Middle Tennessee arrivesAlabama coach Nick Saban didn’t reveal his No. 1 quarterback this week _ or any other starter for that matter.
Read more »
No. 4 Alabama breaks in new starting quarterback against Middle TennesseeWho will be Alabama's starting quarterback: Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson or Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner?
Read more »
Alabama will reportedly start Jalen Milroe against Middle Tennessee State to open the seasonAfter an offseason of competition, Alabama has reportedly decided on a starting quarterback. The team will reportedly go with Jalen Milroe in the season opener against Middle Tennessee State on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Chris Low.
Read more »
Alabama will reportedly start Jalen Milroe against Middle Tennessee State to open the seasonAfter an offseason of competition, Alabama has reportedly decided on a starting quarterback. The team will reportedly go with Jalen Milroe in the season opener against Middle Tennessee State on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Chris Low.
Read more »
Jalen Milroe to start at QB for Alabama's opener vs. Middle TennesseeRedshirt sophomore QB Jalen Milroe will reportedly start under center in Alabama's season opener against Middle Tennessee.
Read more »
Alabama reportedly to start Jalen Milroe at QB in against Middle TennesseeJalen Milroe is the longest-tenured Crimson Tide quarterback of the group competing for the starting job, which included redshirt freshman Ty Simpson and Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner.
Read more »