Paul Finebaum admits Alabama surprised him during Week 1

Alabama doesn’t often find itself at the top of Paul Finebaum’s list when it comes to praise because of their lofty expectations. However, the Crimson Tide were exactly there after this weekend based on what he saw from them in their opener.

Finebaum gave ‘Bama their credit on ‘The Matt Barrie Show’ on Sunday after they defeated MTSU 56-7. He saw a team that looked like they were firing on all cylinders and one that he thinks higher of now than he did when we entered the weekend.

“I mean I think they were the team that looked like some of the fans were predicting. I just did not expect to see them as crisp,” Finebaum said. “While I’m praising them, I don’t want to go too far. But, to me, I just felt better about the Crimson Tide.”

Much of the praise that Alabama is currently receiving comes from the play of QB Jalen Milroe. In his season debut as their QB1, he went for over 240 yards of offense and five total touchdowns.

The Tide’s defense also forced two turnovers, an interception and a fumble recovery, against an over-matched Blue Raider squad.

In the end, Finebaum saw a team that accepted a challenge in their first game. Now, as they head into a primetime matchup with Texas next weekend, he thinks it was the kind of performance that will generate some serious confidence for them as they go into that contest with the Longhorns.

“A lot of people had put them in the playoffs and what they showed yesterday? They could have dogged it easily, could say, ‘We don’t need to do anything’. But, in fact, I think Nick Saban felt like they did need to do something and that’s exactly what they did.”

“If we’re sitting here a week from today talking about Alabama beating Texas? I think you can point back to a mop-up game, a cupcake game that actually helped them a lot.

Pete Thamel: ‘Seems pretty obvious’ Jalen Milroe is Alabama’s QB1 vs. Texas

Jalen Milroe seemingly erased any doubt, at least through one game, that he’s Alabama’s rightful starting quarterback.

Now, he’ll have a huge spotlight on him during Week 2 as the Crimson Tide host the Texas Longhorns in primetime. Texas’ Steve Sarkisian was very complimentary of Milroe ahead of facing the signal caller.

ESPN’s Pete Thamel noted if Nick Saban wanted to potentially extend any quarterback competition, Milroe would’ve been pulled earlier, not later.

“Well, no matter what you look into for the future for your fortune teller, it seems pretty obvious Jalen Milroe will get the start against Texas on Saturday,” Thamel said on College Football Live. “He led Alabama to six touchdown drives.

“And after those six drives, they put Tyler Buchner in the game. So, if Nick Saban wanted some semblance of competition, he could have done it when the game was already a blowout in the second quarter. 

“The way Saban played the quarterbacks marked a clear line of delineation between one and two and Jalen Milroe did what Nick Saban wanted. He was efficient, he managed the game, he didn’t turn the ball over.”