Paul Finebaum assesses other areas of concern for Alabama outside of quarterback room

After years of consistent, elite play at the quarterback position in Tuscaloosa, there’s an unfamiliar sense of uncertainty at the quarterback position for Alabama heading into the 2023 season. Quarterbacks Jalen Milroe and Ty Simpson have been battling for the starting job this offseason, with Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner adding his name to the conversation in April.

College football analyst Paul Finebaum spoke on McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning Monday about Alabama’s quarterback situation, as he was asked if there were any other areas of concern for the Crimson Tide heading into the season.

“They have to have somewhere between serviceable and quality I think,” Finebaum said. “After last year I was concerned about the wide receivers but I’m assured that has been taken care of, I’ll defer to you guys.”

The Crimson Tide were missing the usual high level of firepower that fans had become accustomed to seeing over the last few seasons at the wide receiver position last year. But when looking at Alabama’s schedule, no games really present a threat to the Crimson Tide in the eyes of Finebaum to make him particularly worried about any position.

“But I think what concerns people about Alabama is you can look at the schedule inverted or reverse it. And yeah I’m well aware of Texas being a threat, but I believe Texas is back when they actually win something, not when they win nine games and I hope they’re back, I think we’re all collectively pulling for Steve Sarkisian,” Finebaum said. “But I don’t think Texas is going to win that game. I don’t think Tennessee‘s going to beat Alabama. I don’t think LSU‘s going to beat Alabama.”

Finebaum’s statement may sound bold, but the Crimson Tide have not lost a home game since 2019 versus the eventual national championship LSU Tigers. A few teams have caught Alabama slipping on the road over the last couple of years, but Finebaum isn’t so convinced that will happen this upcoming season.

“I think the only chance you have to get Alabama during the regular season this fall is on the road somewhere. Maybe A&M, Kentucky late seems unlikely but circumstances could make for a difficult situation there. But I really am coming around to Alabama a lot more as we work our way through the silly season to the even sillier season of July,” Finebaum said.

We truly will not know the weaknesses of the Alabama team until the season kicks off in September, but if history continues to repeat itself, the Crimson Tide will likely continue to have little to no blemishes on their typically talented roster.