Alabama's quarterback battle is 'overrated' when discussing potential

Alabama is 40 days out from their season opener against MTSU and still has yet to name a starting quarterback. However, while that might induce some panic around Tuscaloosa, On3’s J.D. PicKell doesn’t see it as too much of an issue for one very specific reason.

While at SEC Media Days last week, PicKell described the Crimson Tide’s quarterback battle as “overrated” on ‘The Hard Count’. He did so because, in his mind, Alabama’s QB is going to be more of a game manager considering what the program seems set up to do with their offensive philosophy this season.

“There’s a lot of talk about the quarterback position with them and I think it’s fair, right? Quarterback? Most important position on the field. It’s absolutely a conversation we need to have,” said PicKell. “But what if I told you the quarterback position at Alabama in ’23 is a little bit overrated? It’s a little bit overrated. And I don’t say that in a negative way toward what Alabama is going to be.”

“Look at what Tommy Rees did last year at Notre Dame. 60% of the time? They ran the football. Ran for over 200 yards a game I believe or right in the neighborhood of 200 yards a game. Alabama last year? They ran the football 49% of the time,” PicKell pointed out. “So, just based on who you have now as your offensive coordinator, you’re telling me you’re going to make it more of a priority to run the football.”

With those running statistics in play, PicKell actually places more focus on ‘Bama’s offensive line. In order to do what he believes the Tide will want to do offensively, which is pound on the ground, he thinks they’re the key to efficiency for the Alabama offense in 2023.

“The question for Alabama, for me, is does that offensive line get to playing bully ball? Do they just get back to being that big kid on the playground?,” PicKell asked. “To be real with you, the way they’ve recruited? Alabama has the ability to do that. And I think that’s going to be their approach.”

“Here’s the deal for ‘Bama. When you’re the big strong kid? You get to dictate to everybody else how you’re going to play the game,” explained PicKell. “It doesn’t matter who has the most nuanced scheme, who’s going to spread you out the most, go up-tempo, and who’s able to have the different sets that are going to get you confused. No, no, no. When you are the bully? And you push people against their will? That is how the game is won. And that is what Alabama is going to try to do in 2023. But that all falls on the shoulders of the offensive line. Period, mic drop, the end.”

At that point, that’s where the quarterback comes in. Once the offensive line and run game put them in quality positions and ahead of schedule, PicKell says that’s when Alabama’s quarterback, whether Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson, or Tyler Buchner needs to capitalize and help the offense move the chains.

“The quarterback? When I say it’s overrated? You’ve still got to do your job. You can’t give the ball to the other team, you have to hit open shots when we’ve got them,” said PicKell. “But, even so, for Alabama in ’23? It’s going to be on the offensive line to move the ball and set up a third-and-three, second-and-four. Situations like that for the quarterback then to operate out of.”

Alabama’s quarterback battle will dominate the narrative around the program until they name one ahead of their matchup with the Blue Raiders. Even so, PicKell just thinks that we shouldn’t be putting too much weight on it considering how he expects the Tide to earn their points this fall.