Some bold predictions for college football quarterbacks in 2019

If Tua gets hurt, Alabama is in trouble

For two straight seasons Alabama has relied on the unlikely one-two punch, counter-punch of Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts. With the latter having moved on to the plains of Oklahoma, it’s now in Tua’s hands to keep the Tide in the hunt.

Tua has the talent, no question there, but can he stay healthy? That seems unlikely given some of the competition Alabama will face and the style of play Tua uses.

If Tagovailoa goes down with an injury, even for just a couple to three games, Alabama will be in trouble. The reserve quarterback list in Tuscaloosa consists of Mac Jones, Taulia Tagovailoa, Paul Tyson, and Layne Hatcher. Total passes attempted in a Tide uniform by all four players — 13 — all by Jones.

That isn’t to say one of those players couldn’t jump in and make the magic happen once again (yes, even Tua’s younger brother) for Nick Saban, but watching these guys in Bama’s spring game didn’t show that any of them seemed ready to assume the role of savior if needed.

The smart money says it’s Tua or bust for the Crimson Tide in 2019.

Getting back to Jalen Hurts …