Nick Saban reveals key for Jalen Milroe after shaky first quarter vs. Georgia

Nerves are flowing in Atlanta and rightfully so. College football giants Alabama and Georgia are once again meeting in the postseason, with the SEC Championship on the line Saturday afternoon. For Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe, it’s his first appearance in this magnitude of a game and Nick Saban believes there might be some early anxiety.

Alabama did not throw the ball particularly well in the first quarter, with Milroe missing a couple of shots downfield. Saban is looking for him to go through reads and settle into the game a little better.

“I think you just go to read it out,” Saban said when talking to CBS’ Jenny Dell. “I think a couple of times, he had guys. Just didn’t throw the ball on time, he didn’t do it. Just need to straighten it out. A little anxiety, maybe, about what’s going on here.

“Same thing on defense on the first drive. Couple of mental errors on the formation adjustment. Just got to settle down and play.”

There is still a second quarter to play but if anything, we have learned Milroe is better once coming out of the halftime locker room. Alabama has made adjustments incredibly well in the second half and done a great job finishing games with statements.

Even if Saban disagrees, it feels like there was a moment when the lights came on for Milroe. Everyone remembers the Texas games and his struggles. Getting benched for the USF game was not originally part of the plan either.

But once getting back in the starter role, Milroe has been one of the best quarterbacks in the country.

“I don’t think it was like turning the lights on,” Saban said leading into the SEC Championship. “It was more like some of those dimmer switches. You roll it and the lights go up a little more all the time. I think that was more the way I would describe it.

“When he came in, he started to develop confidence. He started developing the ability to not be affected by the last play… He got comfortable enough with the offense where he started making good reads and throwing the ball the right place, at the right time. That helped his confidence.”

Milroe’s confidence certainly did not show in the first quarter against Georgia. Confidence has been a major part of his play all year and gaining some quickly could be the difference.