Alabama has settled on its starting quarterback for Week 1 against Middle Tennessee.
Per ESPN’s Chris Low, the Crimson Tide will start Jalen Milroe in Saturday’s opener. Milroe won the starting job over Redshirt Freshman Ty Simpson and Tyler Buchner, who transferred over from Notre Dame.
Alabama’s starter of the previous two seasons, Bryce Young, was selected first overall by the Carolina Panthers in this year’s draft. Young won the 2021 Heisman Trophy and led Alabama to a national championship game appearance, where they fell to the Georgia Bulldogs.
The Crimson Tide finished 11-2 last season and defeated Kansas State in a blowout to win the Sugar Bowl. It was a nice end to the season, of course, but every year is championship-or-bust for Saban’s dynastic Crimson Tide club.
Alabama is a massive 39.5-point favorite to defeat Middle Tennessee. Seven days later, they’ll welcome the No. 11-ranked Texas Longhorns in one of the more highly-anticipated regular season games of 2023.
Milroe started the Crimson Tide’s Oct. 8 game against the Texas A&M Aggies, completing 12 passes for 111 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 81 rushing yards in a 24-20 victory.
