Blake Barnett is going to be the starting quarterback for the Alabama Crimson Tide in their neutral-site game versus the USC Trojans on Saturday night.
According to AL.com, the Alabama Crimson Tide are likely going to with Blake Barnett as their starting quarterback for their neutral-site Week 1 opener versus the USC Trojans in Arlington, Texas.
Barnett beat out Cooper Bateman and Jalen Hurts to get the starting opportunity Week 1. Alabama was guaranteed to have their fourth starting quarterback in as many seasons now that Jake Coker has graduated from Alabama.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban was absolutely going to keep this decision close to the chest to not give USC any leg up in game preparation. USC head coach Clay Helton named Max Browne his Week 1 starter several days ago over Sam Darnold.
Though Alabama has big holes to fill at quarterback, running back, and center, this again should be a defense-first team for the Crimson Tide this fall. Alabama should reload just fine in the front seven and in crucial offensive positions near the ball.
Barnett will likely go in as all the game-managing quarterbacks before him at Alabama by using the running game to open up the pass. The bigger question is if running back Bo Scarbrough is ready to be the bell-cow back for Alabama this season. He will have to replace 2015 Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry in the Alabama backfield.
Alabama is the defending National Champion and should be an overwhelming favorite over the Trojans in this highly anticipated neutral-site game. That being said, the SEC has largely underwhelmed in the first week of the college football season.
Next: 50 Greatest College Football Programs Of All-Time
Alabama is the cream of the crop in the SEC, but there is always uncertainty with having a new starting quarterback. Can Barnett continue to tradition of excellence under center for the Crimson Tide in 2016?