With national title game hero Tua Tagovailoa out during Saturday’s A-Day Game, Jalen Hurts had an opportunity to make a big impression on Nick Saban, but he missed his best chance to secure the starting job.
Sure, even if Hurts would have had a big day, the QB competition would have waged on during fall camp, but Saban has already given the nod to Tagovailoa once and certainly won’t be afraid to do it again … for good.
Everyone knows Hurts can run the ball; he makes defenders look silly at times, but the lack of a legitimate and consistent passing game is tough to overcome, especially with Tagovailoa being able to spin it like he can. Hurts didn’t even direct a TD drive for the Tide’s offense Saturday, and he often threw the ball behind receivers or out of their reach.
At one point, Saban was caught on a hot mic expressing some frustration with Hurts.
https://twitter.com/FunnyMaine/status/987764648089931778
Following the game, Saban was asked about Hurts’ play.
“I was not disappointed in the way Jalen played,” Nick Saban said, via 247Sports. “I think we’ve got some guys that can rush a little bit, and even though we’re rushing four guys most of the time, there was way too much pressure in the pocket for the quarterback to be able to operate like we’d like.
“I think Jalen made some good plays and throws, and I’m sure if you were to talk to him he’d say, ‘There’s things I wish I would’ve done better and can improve on.”
Saban added, “I think that he has a good understanding of the offense, and his ability to make decisions and trust the pocket are things that we want him to work on.”
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
