Alabama’s quarterback situation somehow became even more muddled Saturday.
Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban benched sophomore QB Tyler Buchner late in the first half against South Florida, after the Tide had scored only three points as halftime neared.
The No. 10 Tide turned the helm over to redshirt freshman Ty Simpson. They had no choice, really. Buchner started 5-of-14 for 34 yards against the Bulls, who won exactly one game last season.
Buchner was making his first start of the season, replacing Jalen Milroe, who started the first two games. Milroe struggled mightily in his second game, barely completing half his passes and tossing two interceptions in a loss to Texas.
So if you’re keeping score at home, that’s three quarterbacks for the Tide in just three games. At this rate, Saban will be scouring the school’s intramural leagues to find more signal-callers within a few weeks.
By the way, Alabama does list a fourth quarterback on its roster, freshman Dylan Lonergan. Surely Saban wouldn’t go there, would he? At least not yet.
Simpson didn’t fare any better than Buchner immediately after entering the game, facing relentless pressure. As many fans pointed out, this might not be a QB problem, but an O-line issue.
Ty Simpson is sacked for the second time pic.twitter.com/c3ojFpUznG
— Kyle Henderson (@BamaYoutube) September 16, 2023
Alabama fans were not happy with the decision to start Buchner, and while they agreed Simpson deserved a shot given the anemic offense in the first half, no one is ready to anoint this as the Ty Simpson era of Crimson Tide football. Some think Milroe might still be the best option.
Until we fix the O-Line it literally doesn’t matter who is behind it (besides Tyler Buchner bc I am currently his #1 hater)
— Jayde Saylor (@JaydeSaylor) September 16, 2023
Ty Simpson, Milroe and Buchner pic.twitter.com/1r34oYcnpz
— Cody Kirk (@codykirk22) September 16, 2023
If Milroe isn’t the answer, I am sorry but it 100% isn’t Tyler Buchner.
— Sidelines – Bama (@SSN_Alabama) September 16, 2023
If Milroe had started we'd be up 2 if not 3 touchdowns!! Unbelievable 😳
— Debra Norwood (@DebraAmos16) September 16, 2023
Hey Notre Dame, we are done with our free trial of Tommy Rees and Tyler Buchner & will not be renewing our subscription. Please for the love of god come get them
— Courtney McKinney (@CourtAnne1225) September 16, 2023
Tyler Buchner struggling against SOUTH FLORIDA?!?!
F it, im going in pic.twitter.com/PmS3S2JRZF
— MattBeGreat (@mattbegreatyt) September 16, 2023
