He was stubborn enough to have 5 weeks between Auburn and the playoff and still trot Jalen out there. Clemson just wasn’t dynamic enough offensively to make a difference in the Sugar Bowl. They should have at least incorporated Tua into the game plan after the Miss St game last year. Saban is stubborn as hell. That’s part of what makes these great coaches so great. They always get there way. It almost cost Saban last year but 99% of the time it works out for him.

 

Well Jalen is 24-2 as a starter, probably a little harder to pull the trigger replacing him than most would think. Tua played well when he played but he played against the weakest teams on the schedule...until Georgia.

Hurts is typically the type of guy Saban loves. Tua is a potential top 10 draft pick. If Hurts starts it’s because Sabans stubbornness finally won out.

 

Nah, it will be because he believes Hurts gives him the best chance to win. You are correct that he values ball protection above everything else. But with his team I can see why.

Okay here’s my take...

 

I’d rather have Tua play, because he seems and is said to be more likely to make mistakes.

 

I think louisville has a better chance with Tua... with that said, Alabama probably had a better chance of winning going away with Tua as well.

Nah, it will be because he believes Hurts gives him the best chance to win. You are correct that he values ball protection above everything else. But with his team I can see why.

Hurts doesn’t give them the best chance to win. He just gives them the best chance not to lose because he won’t turn the ball over. Tua will turn the ball over, but when you need him to he’ll win you a game like he did against Georgia.

Okay here’s my take...

 

I’d rather have Tua play, because he seems and is said to be more likely to make mistakes.

 

I think louisville has a better chance with Tua... with that said, Alabama probably had a better chance of winning going away with Tua as well.

 

Does that mean Tua could put up 300 yards, 3 TD’s and 2 INT’s?

Hurts doesn’t give them the best chance to win. He just gives them the best chance not to lose because he won’t turn the ball over. Tua will turn the ball over, but when you need him to he’ll win you a game like he did against Georgia.

 

Hurts also gives them an added Dimension with his running and can make the big plays, he's proven that over and over again. But of course if he starts the greatest coach alive will be just showing his stubbornness.

Hurts also gives them an added Dimension with his running and can make the big plays, he's proven that over and over again. But of course if he starts the greatest coach alive will be just showing his stubbornness.

The difference between Hurts running ability and Tuas running ability isn’t that big. Tua was the #1 dual threat guy out of high school. He can scoot too.

Jalen Hurts

The difference between Hurts running ability and Tuas running ability isn’t that big. Tua was the #1 dual threat guy out of high school. He can scoot too.

 

Tua certainly can scoot but Hurts was considered by some to be the best Bama running back last year. That says volumes about his ability considering how stocked they were at running back. In addition, while not nearly on Tua's level, Hurts can make the throws. He's just not consistent but it does keep defenses on their toes.

 

My guess is Hurts will start the Louisville game but Tua will play as much and will take over rather quickly but Hurts will play enough to keep him around since he graduates in December. That will give Saban a top level backup as well as force teams to game plan for both. That should give them one more nightmare. They both can make the big plays to kill the opposing team.

Tua certainly can scoot but Hurts was considered by some to be the best Bama running back last year. That says volumes about his ability considering how stocked they were at running back. In addition, while not nearly on Tua's level, Hurts can make the throws. He's just not consistent but it does keep defenses on their toes.

 

My guess is Hurts will start the Louisville game but Tua will play as much and will take over rather quickly but Hurts will play enough to keep him around since he graduates in December. That will give Saban a top level backup as well as force teams to game plan for both. That should give them one more nightmare. They both can make the big plays to kill the opposing team.

2 QB systems don’t work.

2 QB systems don’t work.

 

I wouldn't expect a true 2 QB system although if anyone could make it work it would be Saban. I just expect whoever doesn't start to come in for enough series each game to keep things interesting.

2 QB systems don’t work.

 

So do you expect Jalen to be benched for Tua permanently at some point?

Jalen is a great kid, and from all accounts a tremendous teammate. But based off his last two years of work, he doesn't see the field well enough to win against really good defenses. Bama would win most of the games they play if you or I was their qb. Their talent is most of the times that much better than the opponent.

 

Before the start of the MSU game last year Jalen led the team in rushing attempts. The second leading receiver on the team was Bo Scarborough (a running back). On that team that had 4 five star receivers that no one on this board had probably ever heard of, and it's because Jalen can't distribute the ball the way Tua can. More than that; he takes carries away from our RB's whom happen to be 4 of the best in the country. This year's version on offense is ridiculously talented at every position and with the injuries on defense they will need to score points....I would be shocked if Tua doesn't start. The state of Alabama will implode if Hurts starts the first game.

Jalen is a great kid, and from all accounts a tremendous teammate. But based off his last two years of work, he doesn't see the field well enough to win against really good defenses. Bama would win most of the games they play if you or I was their qb. Their talent is most of the times that much better than the opponent.

 

Before the start of the MSU game last year Jalen led the team in rushing attempts. The second leading receiver on the team was Bo Scarborough (a running back). On that team that had 4 five star receivers that no one on this board had probably ever heard of, and it's because Jalen can't distribute the ball the way Tua can. More than that; he takes carries away from our RB's whom happen to be 4 of the best in the country. This year's version on offense is ridiculously talented at every position and with the injuries on defense they will need to score points....I would be shocked if Tua doesn't start. The state of Alabama will implode if Hurts starts the first game.

 

Offense skill positions certainly are stacked and the O line will be solid, certainly will score some points.

 

Hope the defense doesn't have another injury riddled year like last year.

So do you expect Jalen to be benched for Tua permanently at some point?

Yes. Unless Jalen plays really well. Otherwise I don’t think Saban will have a choice. I think this parallels pretty similarly with OSU when they played Cardale and JT. Two QBs with different skill sets. The offense struggled to get any rhythm all year because Meyer tried so hard to manage both of them. Both had shown at times that they could lead the offense efficiently but the offense was stuck all year. JT was voted as a captain but Cardale starte. It’s really difficult to make that work. At some point Saban has to come out and say this is our guy and we are going to roll with him. Personally I believe that guy should be Tua. Bama has let QB battles race on into the season before, but it’s been newcomers who haven’t proven anything yet. When it’s two who have had some success it makes situation much more difficult. The only reason to play both of them is simply to prevent a transfer. I don’t think it helps Bama to play both.