Alabama football is facing a quarterback crisis that head coach Kalen DeBoer can no longer avoid. In SEC matchups, the performance of Jalen Milroe has drawn unfavorable comparisons, with some equating it to what Auburn has been getting from Payton Thorne—a comparison that Crimson Tide fans find unacceptable.
DeBoer and the Alabama staff have multiple challenges to address, but none looms larger than the quarterback situation. Milroe’s recent showing against Tennessee was concerning, marked by inaccurate passes, missed opportunities, and poor decision-making under pressure. Fans have expressed frustration, not only with Milroe’s play but also with the play-calling from offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan. While some of the blame may fall on the coaching staff, Milroe’s struggles have become the focal point of Alabama’s offensive issues.
Once considered a rising talent with an impressive skill set, Milroe has seen his performance regress. Since the second quarter of the game against Georgia, his passing stats have plummeted, raising questions about whether he can be the solution to Alabama’s offensive woes. During the Tennessee game, one play encapsulated Milroe’s recurring mistakes: with a clean pocket and multiple open targets, Milroe misjudged the situation, overthrowing a pass to Justice Haynes, which contributed to a stalled drive.
The numbers don’t lie—Milroe currently has the worst touchdown-to-interception ratio among starting SEC quarterbacks, with five touchdown passes and six interceptions in SEC play. This level of play is far from what Alabama fans expect from their starting quarterback.
DeBoer now faces a dilemma. While many are calling for Ty Simpson to replace Milroe, it’s unclear if Simpson would provide a significant improvement. The risk of switching quarterbacks midseason could cause further disruptions to the offense and spark discontent among players. Yet, standing pat with Milroe may continue to hurt Alabama’s chances in critical SEC games.
DeBoer is now tasked with finding a solution, and quickly. Whether it means giving Simpson a shot or devising new schemes to support Milroe, something has to change for Alabama to salvage its season.
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