Steve Sarkisian previews matchup against Jalen Milroe, Alabama offense

Quarterback play was crucial in last year’s matchup between Alabama and Texas, as Bryce Young came through clutch on the final drive of the game for the Crimson Tide and the Longhorns had to rely on backup Hudson Card in relief for an injured Quinn Ewers.

This season, Alabama’s former backup Jalen Milroe will take center stage against Ewers in Tuscaloosa, and at halftime of ABC’s broadcast of LSU and Florida State‘s game on Sunday, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian spoke about the matchup between his defense and Alabama’s offense led by Milroe.

“I don’t think you ever know what to expect, the play-caller controls a lot of that in the style of which he wants to call the game,” Sarkisian said. “They’re a physical unit.”

The Crimson Tide have a new player caller at the helm in former Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. Rees had an impressive first showing in his new role, as his offense posted 431 total yards and 56 points in Week 1 versus Middle Tennessee State.

Milroe was a huge catalyst for Alabama’s offense with 194 yards in the air, 48 yards on the ground, and five total touchdowns on the day against the Blue Raiders’ defense, as Sarkisian spoke on a quarterback that he’s familiar with.

“Jalen is a fantastic player at quarterback, had a chance to recruit him coming out of high school. He’s got arm talent, he’s got leg talent, he’s a great competitor and leader,” Sarkisian said. “They’ve got good runners, they utilize the tight ends well, and they’ve got good speed on the perimeter.”

Milroe is actually a Katy, Texas native who was committed to the Longhorns before flipping his commitment to the Crimson Tide. But he’s definitely not the only aspect of Alabama’s new-look offense that Texas’ defense will have to worry about.

“So ultimately for us, if it’s a ground and pound game we gotta defend that. If it’s a try to create space and get the ball on the perimeter with their speed we gotta defend that. If it’s utilizing the quarterback run, which he’s more than capable of doing, I know Tommy’s done it in his past of utilizing the quarterback run and the option things, and so we gotta prepare for that,” Sarkisian explained.

“And then ultimately you gotta defend whatever’s presented to you, so I think our guys preparing this week is the most important thing for the variety of things they have at their disposal.”

Preparation and every detail will be key for both teams in this marquee matchup, as Texas and Alabama will duke it out this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. ET in a game airing on ESPN.