College football news: Saban on Alabama QB battle, Texas loss in transfer portal, Ohio State QB gets an edge

College football news: Nick Saban gives latest update on Alabama QB battle

A little less clear in terms of quarterback battles has been the ongoing situation at Alabama, who is replacing another Heisman finalist (and winner) in Bryce Young at the position. We know that the two candidates that Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide are auditioning, so to speak, are Ty Simpson and Jalen Milroe.

However, the difference in the styles of the pocket-passing, steady Simpson and the more athletic and dynamic Milroe with less polish as a passer has essentially put Alabama in a position to try and discern how they want to build the offense in 2023 under new offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.

Saban spoke to the media on Wednesday and provided an update on the battle between Simpson and Milroe, though. He noted, in essence, that there have been ups and downs from both players in the spring thus far. However, the most telling part of his update came when talking about the mistakes he’s seen and the importance of not making them.

“There’s some plays in the game that kill you,” Saban said. “So to be able to eliminate those things is as big a part of being able to execute all the good things. And that’s what helps you play winning football. You eliminate mistakes and you can execute and take advantage when the opportunity presents itself because you’re going to distribute the ball on every down.”

Perhaps this is reading between the lines a bit too much, but given the reputations of Simpson and Milroe, it would seem that Saban is talking about things like turnovers. And in Rees’ offenses at Notre Dame, it would be understandable to presume that the steadier passer of the two, Simpson, has made fewer of those killer mistakes.

At the same time, though, Milroe has eight games worth of experience of playing against live SEC competition, something Simpson simply can’t make up. So perhaps these are proverbial rookie mistakes stemming from inexperience that Saban is discussing.

We’ll get a better idea of how things are shaking out when we see the two quarterbacks on the field for Alabama’s spring game on April 22. But for now, it’s starting to sound like Saban has a winner in mind — he’s just not ready to divulge who that is yet.

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