Getty Jalen Milroe and Nick Saban of the Alabama.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban benched quarterback Jalen Milroe during Week 3 just to prove a point, according to Saturday Down South’s Chris Marler.
While Milroe sat out during the Crimson Tide’s 17-3 win against South Florida after throwing two interceptions against Texas a week earlier, his backups — sophomore Tyler Buchner and freshman Ty Simpson — struggled mightily, going 10-for-23 and compiling 107 passing yards between them.
“Saban sent the whole damn fanbase into turmoil with that s*** show in Tampa all to prove a point,” Marler posted on X, formerly Twitter. “You diabolical a******. I love you.”
After experimenting with Buchner and Simpson, Saban named Milroe starting quarterback once against for Alabama’s SEC opener on September 23 against Ole Miss at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Nick Saban Says Jalen Milroe ‘Played the Best’ of Any Alabama QB
Saban didn’t allude to a trial by fire between Milroe, Buchner and Simpson, but he did allude to Milroe’s sideline demeanor as his closest competitors took what most likely should’ve been his snaps against South Florida.
“Jalen really showed the leadership that I was looking for during the game in terms of supporting his teammates and doing the things he needed to do,” Saban told reporters on September 18, when he named Milroe the starter against Ole Miss. “He’s had the opportunity to play. So have the other guys. Jalen played the best of all those guys.”
Linebacker Deontae Lawson said he was excited by the prospect of Milroe being the Crimson Tide’s on-field offensive leader offensively.
“I came in with Jalen, so I know what kind of player he is and what kind of person he is,” Lawson said, according to Tuscaloosanews.com. “It definitely gives me a great spirit.”
Analyst: Jalen Milroe ‘Should’ve Never Been Benched’ by Alabama
CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee wrote that Milroe should have ever been benched by Alabama for Buchner, Simpson or anyone else. He wrote that the program did Milroe a disservice by not trying to build the offense around him.
“Milroe should never have been benched,” Sallee wrote on September 18. “Poor offensive line play is part of the identity of the Crimson Tide program at this point. It’s clear now that Saban and the offensive staff, including offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, tried to force their best quarterback option to be something he’s not rather than develop an offense that accentuates his strengths.”
Sallee wrote that playing Milroe isn’t ideal but that he was the best of the bunch.
“There are no good options, only sub-optional ones,” Sallee wrote. “Milroe is the best of those options this week against Ole Miss and moving forward.”
On the season, in two appearances, Milroe is 27-of-45 for 449 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions. In Alabama’s 34-24 loss to Texas on September 9, he was 14-of-27 (51.9%) with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
According to The Tuscaloosa News, Saban had previously likened the quarterback competition to baking a cake.
“He said he would let everyone know when the cake is ready,” Nick Kelly wrote on September 18. “Monday was that day.”