Paul Finebaum addresses how Alabama could resemble older Nick Saban teams in 2023

Paul Finebaum believes the 2023 Alabama Crimson Tide could resemble Nick Saban’s championship teams of old.

That’d be music to Alabama fan’s ears, as they’ve been clamoring for a return to what built the empire in the first place. Joining McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, Finebaum addressed the possibility, believing it hinges on if the defense can play up to their elite standard in 2023.

“I think they could probably get away with it offensively, as long as one thing is true, and that is the defense is elite,” explained Finebaum. “If they can sure up what were some deficiencies last year, then I think that they can survive. The ultimate concern though is, if the defense is not like some of those defenses that your partner was often bailed out by, then I don’t know how they will handle certain teams.

“Texas, Ole Miss, LSU. Teams that can score a lot of points. I mean, I think that’s the one unknown.”

Alas, that’ll be a tough task for the Crimson Tide, as they’ll face a bevy of high-powered offenses, but it’s what needs to be done if they’re to get back to the College Football Playoff in 2023. There are questions around their offense, but those can be quelled if their defense steps up.

Time will tell if Paul Finebaum is right, but it’ll be a welcome sight if Nick Saban can get Alabama back to their defensive standard in this new campaign.

Paul Finebaum expects Jalen Milroe to start at quarterback for Alabama

Meanwhile, Alabama head coach Nick Saban has yet to name a starting quarterback, but Finebaum believes he knows who will be under center when the Crimson Tide host Middle Tennessee to open the 2023 season.

During his aforementioned appearance on the McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning show on Monday, he shared his prediction.

“It seems to me that Jalen Milroe is going to be the starter. I have heard nothing that would put that in dispute,” Finebaum said.

Milroe is battling with Tyler Buchner, Ty Simpson and Dylan Lonergan for the starting job, and apparently there isn’t a quarterback who has separated from the rest at this point.

With that said, Finebaum believes the true battle is for the No. 2 spot, not the starting job.

“I think he’s trying to milk this thing for everything that it’s worth,” Finebaum said. “But I think ultimately, though, the question is who’s the No. 2 quarterback? And what does that say about Alabama?

“I think what Nick Saban has done is he’s given the media and he’s given talk shows a gift. You can legitimately go out there and say anything you want.”

On3’s Matt Connolly contributed to this article.