The Alabama Crimson Tide’s ongoing quarterback competition is front and center in Tuscaloosa, and Ty Simpson runs that show.
But it seems that everyone is focusing on a rather short-sighted question with Simpson.
The QB who would be starting for Alabama if the season were to start Saturday has proven himself enough to just get by the season.
Now he has to prove whether he can make the dynamic plays expected out of the QB tasked with upholding the “Bama Standard.”
I think Ty Simpson is a quarterback who will not get you beat. But can he make dynamic plays?” ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum reminded Kalen DeBoer to give good thought to Simpson’s daring signal-calling abilities before announcing his decision on The Paul Finebaum Show.
Simpson’s top competitor, Keelon Russell, on the other hand, looks like someone who would not shy away from making some risky snaps during the game, given his decent accuracy and improving decision-making to know just when to roll the dice.
While Russell usually is the one to make calculated moves, he may not yet have the experience to handle it if his shot goes wrong.
Simpson, on the other hand, has that poise in a pressure pocket to possibly revive Alabama after an almost blowout. Nick Saban himself has praised him as a “good decision maker” and “very instinctive”, after all.
Another facet that will highly influence the decision would be how well either of the QBs works with the offense.
Simpson also has an edge against Russell in that department since DeBoer has several returning players, most of whom already have a good rapport with Simpson from the previous season.
With robust OLs like Kaydn Proctor, WRs Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard, RBs Jam Miller and Richard Young, and a sturdy offensive front recruited by two great talent evaluators, DeBoer’s offensive line might have a real shot at being one of the best in the country this season.
