What Alabama wants to see in Saturday's first preseason scrimmage

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Alabama has been through a week’s worth of preseason practices and will be back on the field again later this afternoon in what will be its final tuneup before the first scrimmage of fall camp. On Saturday, the Crimson Tide will make the short trek from the Mal M. Moore Athletic Facility to Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first of two game-like practices.

Wednesday was Alabama’s first day in full pad and one of the first practices the Tide didn’t have to retreat indoors due to rain. However, that meant practicing in the Tuscaloosa heat, which can be difficult with temperatures feeling well over 100 degrees. Saturday will be much of the same, but head coach Nick Saban wants to see his players play through adverse situations.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to be able to stay focused in these kinds of conditions, especially toward the end of practice when guys are getting tired, and Saturday’s scrimmage will be no different,” Saban said. “We want to evaluate whether guys can block, tackle, execute what they’re supposed to do; not so much try to game plan and experiment with things, but just see how guys can play winning football at whatever position.

“That’s something that I think is really, really important.”

The arrival of fall scrimmage No. 1 will mark three weeks until Alabama opens the 2023 season against Middle Tennessee (Saturday, Sept. 2, at 6:30 p.m. CT). There are still several questions surrounding this Crimson Tide team, with quarterback being the most-discussed topic. Among the top three contenders – Jalen Milroe, Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner – no one has separated themselves from the pack yet, but Saturday’s closed scrimmage could be the first step.

There are several other ongoing positional battles after the first full week of fall camp, including on the offensive line and in the secondary. Third-year defensive back Terrion Arnold is vying for a spot on the first-team defense and will face the quarterbacks – and wide receivers – that are still battling for the starting job, but he’s approaching the scrimmage as “just another day.”

As for the front seven, outside linebacker Chris Braswell said the edge rushers want to “remain disciplined” and “set the tone” for the defense, and his loaded position group will be facing two younger players competing for the left tackle spot on the first offensive line. “Iron sharpens iron” has been a popular phrase for the players early in camp, and a scrimmage can offer that.

It is a chance for players to stand out and prove they can make winning plays Saban and staff want to see as the season opener inches closer. But at the same time, it is important for them to not put much stock into one practice. The veterans that were made available this week seem to have share that mindset as Alabama’s players simply look to continue stacking good days.

“We’re still in the midst of creating our identity, so at the end of the day we just look forward,” wide receiver Jermaine Burton said. “We try to keep our tempo up, trying to just go 100 percent, focus on each play and execute each play because looking at plays ahead or skipping plays ahead or trying to just look forward, it can make you fall off track. I feel like it’s us taking it slow, each play by play and making sure we can execute each play is just the main goal.”

Saturday’s scrimmage will begin at approximately 12:30 p.m. CT. It is closed to the media and the public, but Saban will speak to local reporters after its conclusion at roughly 3:15 p.m.

Not a member, Alabama fans? Join BOL today!

Have you subscribed to BamaOnLine.com yet? You can sign up now for a year’s worth of premium access for $99.99! Or you can also gain monthly access for just $9.99! Get access to premium articles and nuggets covering Alabama sports and recruiting content and also join thousands of Crimson Tide fans on the BOL Round Table message board! CLICK HERE!