Paul Finebaum discusses the 'bias' against Jalen Milroe entering Week 1
Yes, Middle Tennessee State was the opponent on Saturday for Alabama. No matter who started at quarterback, the Crimson Tide were likely going to roll easily toward a win. Even so, Jalen Milroe looked composed while on the field, making program history on the offensive end.
Depending on how the Texas game goes, the quarterback competition is likely over in Tuscaloosa. A lot of talk throughout revolved around Ty Simpson and Notre Dame transfer Tyler Buchner. Even true freshman Dylan Lonergan got buzz when fall camp began.
ESPN’s Paul Finebaum believes there was a bias against Milroe during the battle. Some Alabama fans were looking for anybody else to be on the winning end. Perhaps it stems from Milroe’s lone start against Texas A&M last season.
Either way, Milroe is likely going to be the guy in 2023.
“I think there was a bias against Milroe,” Finebaum said. “He had a bad game last year against Texas A&M. It would just not go away. I think people were eager to see him supplanted. And now, not happening.”
Simpson is a former five-star recruit and has been highly thought of since arriving on campus. Buchner has experience under offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, being named the Notre Dame starter to begin the 2022 season.
The difference — we had not seen either of them play competitive snaps in an Alabama uniform. Milroe got the opportunity last season.
Against Texas A&M, Milroe completed 12 of 19 pass attempts but threw for just 111 yards. Three touchdowns and a touchdown were added as well. Milroe rushed for 81 yards on 17 attempts as Alabama squeaked out a win at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Not the best performance but replacing Bryce Young is no easy task — especially in the middle of the season. A one-star cameo did help keep the College Football Playoff hopes alive for Alabama, though. Had things gone any worse, a 9-3 season could have been a reality in Tuscaloosa for the first time since 2010.
The stat sheet from Saturday’s game proves a more efficient Milroe than the Texas A&M game. His seven rushing attempts went for 48 yards but had two touchdowns. Three passing touchdowns remained the same but the interception was not there against Middle Tennessee State.
Most likely, the people biased — as Finebaum puts it — against Milroe will be a lot quieter heading into the Texas game. If he puts another good performance up against the Longhorns, there will not be another reason to doubt him leading the Alabama offense moving into a critical SEC season.