Redshirt freshman Blake Barnett has a legitimate shot at becoming Alabama’s starting quarterback thanks to an increased “on-base percentage” in fall practice, according to a report by AL.com.

After spending two weeks this summer training with quarterback guru George Whitfield, Barnett has reduced his interceptions and honed in on making better decisions  instead of aiming for the big play on every snap. Now, the freshman is locked in a tight competition with junior Cooper Bateman just days before No. 1 Alabama opens its season against No. 20 USC.

“He’s more confident I think in what he’s doing,” coach Nick Saban told AL.com. “He’s gotten bigger and stronger, and he’s throwing the ball effectively. One of the strengths on our team, I feel, is the receivers, and we want to continue to try to have an offense that can create explosive plays through those guys. Blake has really been an effective passer for us, so we want to continue to try and develop him and see where his knowledge and experience will take him relative to whether we feel like he can be a winning player at that position or not.”

The Crimson Tide and Trojans will tangle at 8 p.m. Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, in a nationally televised game on ABC.