Kirk Herbstreit reveals what he thinks 'would be the biggest upset' in the Alabama QB competition
The Alabama quarterback battle is continuing as Week 1 quickly approaches, with Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts doing battle.
Many anticipate that Tagovailoa will eventually win the starting job, but ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit doesn’t think the battle will be over by the time the Crimson Tide play Louisville on Sept. 1.
During a teleconference on Friday, Herbie said he’s be surprised if both players don’t get action against the Cardinals in Orlando:
Kirk Herbstreit on a teleconference on Alabama's QB competition: "If they don’t both play in the Louisville game, that would be the biggest upset for me. … I think they will both play."
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— Charlie Potter (@Charlie_Potter) August 24, 2018
Hurts and Tagovailoa have vastly different skill sets, so giving them both playing time isn’t out of the question.
We’ll soon see what coach Nick Saban is thinking, but whoever plays the best early in the season will likely get the starts as the season wears on.
Vastly different skill sets? I don’t really know. I think from an outsider’s perspective, Jalen is a more physical runner, while Tua’s the more polished passer.
Kirby, as a QB, would you prefer to be a more polished passer and a decent runner or a questionable passer and better runner?
His head just exploded.
I never said which one was better.
If Jalen was a questionable passer he wouldn’t have won the starting job as a true freshman against a 5 star Pro-style QB.
Is he a great passer? Evidently not as great as Tua. However, when I say I don’t think their skill sets are “vastly different”, I’m not saying Jalen’s skill set is just as good as Tua’s.
Hurts is a strong runner but mediocre passer. Tua is a strong passer who can run if need be…. Hurts first instinct is to bail..
No he won the job because he was calm and followed direction to protect the ball. He did not panic like Barnett appeared to do. Jalen was needed during a time of transition. Now there is Tua and true fans knew he would and should become the QB before the season started last year.
That might work for 4 games, but anymore than that and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hurts leave the team to avoid losing a year of eligibility somewhere else.
Get it through your thick skull, everyone for that matter, Hurts is NOT transferring this year.
He didn’t say transfer, he said leave the team. There is quite a difference. I don’t see him leaving the team unless something happens that really upsets him, but I can not see him playing in mop up duty.
Why couldn’t Smith have sticks of butter for hands? I WANT ME A NC RN!
I remember bout mid way into hurts freshman year.. I said when this kid learns to throw the football to go with that running ability he’s a Heisman trophy candidate for sure.. but he’s never developed in the passing game
Bama will need to put up huge numbers at Ole Miss. Their QB and receivers will eat our backfield alive if he has time tp throw. Tua has to be the starter in this game.
Obviously whoever starts the game will be who Saban thinks is better. The whole point of football is to make sure you win the game. Once it becomes obvious the game is yours, you put in the 2nd string guys. Saban could in fact play both QBs in the game but whoever takes the first snap is obviously who Saban thinks is better.
Not exactly. Saban has beem known to favor experience… He started Barnet but Hurts ended up taking the spot from he. Barnet had more time in the systme so got the first snaps..
Our 5th string QB could win all the games because our RB and Dfense is too strong. The issue is when MSU, Auburn, and UGA stack 9 in the box Hurts won’t be able to perform because he is a runner.
As a Bama fan I would hate to see it happen, but if Saban does not turn the keys over to Tua he should transfer and take Taulia with him.
Hurts will never be a QB in NFL and Tua is needed to lead the team in 2019 season. So WTF are we even still having this conversation.
Tua don’t share your hard earned destiny with another because of politics and a stubborn coach who may be too old fashioned about loyalty. If he is not loyal to you after the comeback then maybe Bama is not the place for you to shine.