Three Big Questions Heading Into Alabama's Final Scrimmage
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The loudest screams in Bryant-Denny Stadium this weekend will come Sunday afternoon when thousands of women join sororities on Alabama's Bid Day. But the most important event in that same stadium for Alabama football fans and head coach Nick Saban is the Crimson Tide's fall scrimmage Saturday afternoon.
With classes starting at the University of Alabama on Wednesday, the players get a brief reprieve from the intensity of fall camp and being to fall into a more normal practice routine. This ups the ante for the scrimmage.
Unlike the spring, where there are three scrimmages, this Saturday marks the second and final scrimmage of fall camp. Saban said he isn't a stats guy, but he is a film guy, and the scrimmage is the last chance for the players to put something impressive on tape as the coaches sort out the depth chart.
At this point in the preseason, some starting spots are locked in place. But with the turnover Alabama has each season between the NFL and transfer portal, there are still several position groups that are sorting out who fits where best, and ultimately who will be in the starting lineup two weeks from Saturday for the season opener against Middle Tennessee.
Here are some of the major questions for the Crimson Tide heading into the final scrimmage:
1. Will someone pull ahead in the quarterback competition?
Alabama is is no rush to name a starting quarterback, but time is starting to wind out. Saturday afternoon doesn't signal the end of the competition as there will still be two weeks until the season opener, but the final scrimmage does provide all the guys in the race a last chance to make a big impression in a game-like situation.
Saban has kept his cards close to the chest throughout the spring and fall about the quarterbacks. Earlier this week, Saban shared his message to the quarterbacks: "force us to play you."
Alabama has been giving all five scholarship quarterbacks reps at practice, but according to sources after the first scrimmage, the race seems to be narrowed down between redshirt sophomore Jalen Milroe and redshirt freshman Ty Simpson. However, Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner could still be in the mix for the starting job.
Even if one guy wins the job this weekend with an impressive performance in the scrimmage, Saban likely still will not reveal who the starter is until the opening game on Sept. 2.
2. Will Alabama solidify the starters on offensive line?
After the first scrimmage, offensive line was an area of concern for Saban. He spoke of needing to develop more depth at the position to have more guys that can play winning football and are capable of being starters.
Tackle JC Latham and guard Tyler Booker have both spoken to the media during fall camp, signifying that they have locked up starting roles on the offensive line. Saban has mentioned Terrence Ferguson III as someone he views as a starter. It is also assumed that senior Seth McLaughlin will slide back into his role at center, where he started the final eight games a season ago.
This leaves Darrian Dalcourt, Elijah Pritchett and Kadyn Proctor looking for spots on the offensive line. One of the biggest concerns currently is who will start at left tackle between Pritchett and Proctor. Both have taken a lot of reps in the role throughout the spring, and one of them could win the job for good with a strong performance this weekend.
3. Will Nick Saban be happy with the team's performance?
This is the only question we will have an immediate answer to Saturday afternoon.
From the outset of his press conference after the first scrimmage with a four-plus minute opening statement, it was clear Saban wasn't all that pleased with the performance he had seen from his team.
The first scrimmage was just the team's third practice in full pads, and players were still adjusting to the heat and conditioning. With another week of practice under their belts and another week closer to game day, the stakes and expectations will be higher in this scrimmage.
A key theme for the head coach is having more players doing what it takes to play winning football. Will that number of guys in that category increased from scrimmage one to scrimmage two? Saban's post-scrimmage mood will be indicative of how ready the team actually is for the season in two weeks.
See also:
Photo and Video from Alabama Football's Friday Practice
Why Will Reichard Came Back for Fifth Season
What Nick Saban Said After Alabama Football's First Scrimmage of Fall Camp
