Paul Finebaum surprisingly worried about Alabama football for one key reason

Paul Finebaum still sees Alabama as a College Football Playoff contender, but does have concerns when it comes to one key position on the field for the Crimson Tide.

After missing the College Football Playoff for only the second time ever last season, Paul Finebaum does not seem to be as bullish on the Alabama Crimson Tide as in recent years.

While doing his weekly radio hit on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning on WJOX down in Birmingham, he sees the 2023 Crimson Tide as roughly a top-five or six team in the country next year.

"“On the low end of Alabama, I think they’re in the top five or six. And that really depends on how you populate Ohio State and USC and Michigan, maybe Clemson. Maybe throw somebody else in there, whether it’s Penn State or somebody else.”"

While Georgia, Alabama, Michigan, Ohio State, USC, Clemson and Penn State should all be contending for championships next season, Finebaum’s critique of the Crimson Tide at this point has everything to do with the quarterback battle brewing in Tuscaloosa between Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson. Whoever ends up winning the job will have to replace Heisman winner Bryce Young.

"“A week can change a lot, I don’t think it’s going to change the internals, it may change the externals. We may get out there on Saturday and [Jalen] Milroe or [Ty] Simpson looks great in a very limited, controlled situation and you’re getting blown up at 7:30 next Monday morning about fans saying what are you talking about, we’ve got a great quarterback. I don’t think that’s going to happen.”"

Reading between the lines, Finebaum is suggesting that Nick Saban might be looking for a quarterback in the transfer portal this late into the offseason. That is a dangerous game to play…

Alabama being unsettled at quarterback has gotten Paul Finebaum’s attention

Look. I’m not going to say the Saban dynasty is dead, but the Crimson Tide haven’t won the last two national titles; his greatest protege Kirby Smart’s team has. While I would be a fool to say Alabama is not winning another before Saban hangs up the visor, I have similar reservations as does Finebaum in this situation. Milroe is unproven and Simpson is incredibly green for the Tide.

Then again, who is the best quarterback in the SEC right now. Jayden Daniels? KJ Jefferson? Devin Leary? Spencer Rattler? Will Rogers? Do we even have a remote clue? In short, there is no Young, Stetson Bennett IV, Hendon Hooker, Will Levis or Anthony Richardson running it back for one at least one more year in the SEC. Simply, there is territory to be had in the quarterbacking rankings.

Overall, there is an absurd amount of pressure on newcomer offensive coordinator Tommy Rees to help Saban make the right decision here. Simpson may be exactly what he is looking for in a signal-caller, but Milroe has a touch of that BY magic. Either way, Alabama sinks or swims based on the decision the coaching staff makes about the quarterback battle, as well as how they play.

If Alabama has to dip into the transfer portal after spring practice, that is a bad, bad, bad, bad sign.

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