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SEC Media Days: Nick Saban says Tua Tagovailoa will play in 2017

By Matthew Bartlett

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks during a press conference after the Clemson Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 35-31 in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide speaks during a press conference after the Clemson Tigers defeated the Alabama Crimson Tide 35-31 in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images) /
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At SEC Media Days Nick Saban said that true freshman quarterback Tua Tagovaiola would see playing time in 2017. What would that look like?

Read More: What are the storylines to watch entering media days?

Nick Saban stunned football fans by naming Jalen Hurts, a freshman, his starting quarterback in 2016. Hurts hasn’t lost control of his football team, but he’s not the only underclassman quarterback that will see snaps this season.

With the media circus waiting with anticipation, Saban shut down any rumblings of a quarterback controversy. Hurts has the job, but they’re not going to their new stud quarterback, freshman Tua Tagovailoa, sit idly on the sideline. When asked about the potential of Tagovailoa playing this season Saban said this:

"“Tua has a lot of potential and we want to continue to develop him. If we feel like he can play winning football, I think it’s important for us to allow him to do that so that if he gets in a situation where he needs to play, he’s going to be able to play winning football. And part of that development is the need to play in games.”More from Saturday BlitzMichigan State vs. Maryland: Location, time, prediction, and moreACC Power Rankings: Can #4 FSU overthrow Clemson at Death Valley East?Most heartwarming social media reactions to Nick Chubb’s injuryRanking college football’s top 10 quarterbacks after Week 3Things are going to get much darker for the Houston Cougars"

This probably isn’t going to be a time share like Wisconsin used in 2016. The snap distribution won’t be close to 50-50 and Hurts doesn’t stand any real chance of losing his job, at least that’s how things look right now. If Tagovailoa steps on the field and lights up an SEC defense while Hurts struggles there might be some mutterings in the coaching room.

That said, Saban has been consistent throughout his time at Alabama when it comes to quarterbacks. He’ll let a few play early, but once he picks his starter he rides him until the end. The Alabama defense has traditional been so good that it frankly didn’t matter who stood under center.

What will the Tagovailoa package look like?

After opening against Florida State, the Tide play Fresno State and Colorado State in weeks two and three, respectively. Those will be easy wins for the Tide and Tagovailoa should get his most meaningful snaps in those games. Saban will game plan to have him play at least the fourth quarter of both of those games and give him some easy reads to get his feet wet.

Next: 10 SEC true freshman who could be stars in 2017

After the opener, Alabama’s schedule is significantly back loaded. That will give Tagovailoa plenty of garbage time to get better in the event that he’s needed. Make no mistake, Saban isn’t opening the door for a quarterback controversy, this is Hurts’ team looking to develop depth for future championship runs.

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