When Alabama and Auburn face off in the Iron Bowl on Saturday, the Tide will have to take the field without former Heisman-contending quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Instead, it will be backup Mac Jones taking the snaps, which likely has Alabama fans nervous, and an elite Auburn defense champing at the bit. Former Florida legend and current SEC Network analyst Tim Tebow, however, expressed confidence in Jones’ ability to lead Alabama to victory when he joined ESPN’s “First Take” on Friday. Tebow is convinced Jones is better than what the public gives him credit for.

“Every time he’s entered the game he’s done a really good job as the backup, and now as the starter” said Tebow, “He’s not a great athlete, but he’s a very good thrower of the football. He’s very accurate, he’s very smart.

“He was also a championship winner at Bolles High School in Jacksonville growing up, (I’ve) known about this kid for a while. He’s a very good football player, and I think he has a chance to really shock some people tomorrow afternoon.

“He’s going to be a good quarterback. Not just average, he’s going to be good. I don’t think he’ll be Tua good, but there’s a handful that have ever been. But he’s going to be very good.”

Jones has only started two games this season, but has impressed in both. In a dominant win over Arkansas, Jones went 18 of 22 for 235 yards and three touchdowns. In last week’s tuneup against Western Carolina, Jones was 10 of 12 for 275 yards and three touchdowns.

The sophomore has only thrown one interception this season, and it was in early season mop-up duty against Southern Miss. Kevin Steele’s Auburn defensive unit will certainly be his toughest test, yet, as the Tigers are fifth in the SEC in sacks with 26.

An electric Jordan-Hare will also likely be the biggest environment he has faced in his young career, but he has the belief of his head coach, and now the belief of one of the best quarterbacks in SEC history.

Here is Tebow’s complete statement on First Take, starting after the six minute mark.