How Jalen Milroe changes Alabama's offensive game plan

Alabama’s offense isn’t perfect with Jalen Milroe under center, but it is unique. On Tuesday, On3 college football analyst Clark Brooks revealed what the Alabama quarterback brings to the table that other options don’t.

“In the read option game, the one-high versus two-high, if you run two-high coverage, it’s usually going to have a lighter box count and most teams say green light and hand that sucker off,” Brooks said. “But when you have Jalen Milroe and you have the ability to attack not only one side of the formation but two with his legs, it just really does behoove them.”

Milroe’s rush threat was a significant factor in his two starts this season. The sophomore QB rushed for 48 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries against Middle Tennessee State. Against Texas, Milroe recorded 44 yards on 15 carries. However, he also suffered five sacks.

Milroe’s legs will be key for Alabama against Ole Miss on Saturday. The Rebels are allowing 123.7 rushing yards per game, ranking 65th in the country. With Milroe’s help, the Crimson Tide could do damage in the ground game. Nonetheless, Brooks boasts concerns about other areas of Milroe’s game.

The concerns around Jalen Milroe

“Through the first two weeks, he did pop. He did finish [as] one of the better quarterbacks in that regard, but still, the inability to erase negative plays is just so apparent,” Brooks said. “Alabama has to work on ways to get the ball out of his hands quicker and to speed up his processing time because you can’t be — to use Nick Saban’s metaphor — baking a cake for that long and expect that many great returns.”

Clearly, Milroe’s sacks weren’t all the offensive line’s fault. Brooks believes the indecisiveness of the QB is a legitimate worry for the Crimson Tide. Milroe also threw two interceptions in Alabama’s 34-24 loss to Texas. With his strengths, come his weaknesses. Brooks knows Alabama must do its best to hide the latter.

A harsh reality

“If Alabama wants to represent the [SEC] West and sneak into this playoff, it definitely still can, but stock is just not trending the right way because the most important position is just a quandary right now,” Brooks said.

Obviously, Nick Saban is hoping Milroe is the answer to this quandary. Earlier this week, the Alabama head coach named Milroe the starting QB for Week 4 after sitting Milroe the entire game against USF.

Milroe will look to answer Saban’s call this weekend. On Saturday, No. 13 Alabama will face off against No. 15 Ole Miss at 3:30 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on CBS.