Alabama Football: 5 reasons Crimson Tide won’t be upset Ole Miss
By Zach Bigalke
1. Tua Tagovailoa has been a wizard at quarterback for Alabama
It was perhaps the biggest question of the offseason for Alabama, as Nick Saban and offensive coordinators Mike Locksley and Josh Gattis had a rare issue in Tuscaloosa. Normally during Nick Saban’s tenure, quarterback play has been an afterthought on their path to success. But this year the Crimson Tide entered the year with two starter-level talents at the position.
Jalen Hurts was the incumbent, but after losing his spot under center during the national title game last January his grasp of the starting role was tenuous at best. The way Tua Tagovailoa stepped in and led Alabama to victory against Georgia made him the presumptive favorite to take over as starter for the 2018 season.
That is precisely what happened, and Alabama’s decision has been validated by Tagovailoa’s play so far this season. The Tide quarterback has gone 25-of-35, completing more than 71 percent of his passes for 455 yards and six touchdowns. Tagovailoa is averaging 13 yards per attempt, and he has yet to throw an interception this season.
The sophomore is on such a hot streak that Hurts has already declared that he will redshirt this year and transfer to a new team for next season as a graduate student. Tagovailoa will once again work his magic on Saturday. Saban and his staff are likely going to keep the starter in longer at quarterback than he has had to play so far this year, and it will result in a massive line of passing stats.
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Look for Tagovailoa to once again complete 70-plus percent of his passes for at least 300 yards and three scores as the Crimson Tide beat the three-touchdown spread in a blowout of Ole Miss.