Nick Saban identifies key to Alabama offense’s success with either QB
By Andrew Olson
Published:
With the 2026 college football season almost here, the biggest question surrounding Alabama is which quarterback will win the starting job. Keelon Russell, a 5-star recruit from the Class of 2025, is competing with Austin Mack, a former 4-star in the Class of 2023 who followed Kalen DeBoer from Washington to UA.
The QB competition in Tuscaloosa came up on Friday when Nick Saban appeared on The Pat McAfee Show. Saban didn’t make a QB1 prediction, but said the key to success for the Crimson Tide offense starts with another position group.
“I think it’s going to be imperative, though, that the offensive line play better,” Saban said. “So that the quarterback, whoever it is, has an opportunity to play better. Because, you know, I thought Ty Simpson was under a hell of a lot of pressure the second half of the season all the time.
“And their ability to run the ball and stand favorable down a distance is going to have something to do with that as well. But I do not know who the starting quarterback is going to be. And I have watched, you know, some of the tape and I’ve been very impressed with both guys.”
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"I don't know who the starting quarterback is gonna be for Alabama and I think both guys are capable..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) August 21, 2026
The offensive line is gonna have to play better this season" ~ Coach Saban #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/2LDP0fC6hq
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Alabama’s rushing attack ranked 15th out of 16 SEC teams last season in yards per game with 104.13. The Crimson Tide gave up 32 sacks over 15 games, an average of 2.13 per game that ranked 7th in the conference.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
