Alabama QB Jalen Milroe I’ve just announced his departure.

Losing a starting quarterback who is a rookie is usually a learning experience. It may, however, be interpreted as a sign that Alabama, where a national title is anticipated, has to make some changes.

Jalen Milroe has only made three starts in his collegiate career, two of which were in 2023 as Bryce Young’s backup quarterback after he left for the NFL. However, after suffering their worst home defeat under Nick Saban as Alabama’s head coach in Week 2, a 34-24 loss to Texas, the Crimson Tide are making some changes at the quarterback position.

According to John Talty of 247Sports, Tyler Buchner is expected to start as quarterback for the Crimson Tide when they play South Florida in Tampa. Alabama will be switching quarterbacks early in the game.

With just one game remaining before beginning the SEC phase of their 2023 campaign, Alabama faces a formidable task despite the move appearing to be made early in the season.

Why Tyler Buchner, not Jalen Milroe, will start at quarterback

Prolonged success at quarterback has been a defining characteristic of the Crimson Tide. Every starting quarterback for the Crimson Tide since 2016 is currently a starter in the NFL and has at some point garnered votes for the Heisman Trophy, even though Jalen Hurts won his while at Oklahoma.

That suggests that the quarterback needs to perform well on a consistent basis if the team is to win a national championship, but it does not imply that Alabama expects its starting quarterbacks to receive Heisman Trophy votes.

Unfortunately, Milroe didn’t play well against Texas. Milroe had two interceptions and only completed 14 of 27 passes (51.9%), but his accuracy was remarkable.ProFootballFocus detected four plays worth of turnovers during his start, accounting for 9.3% of his passes.

It was money lost on his two interceptions. The Crimson Tide had a great start to their drive, but after the Longhorns were forced to punt on the previous play, the first drive was returned to the Alabama 30 to set up a Texas field goal. The second came one play after the Longhorns had regained a 20-16 lead, and it was the game-winning touchdown that they needed to beat Alabama.

During an SEC teleconference on Wednesday, Nick Saban declared that there was no surefire starting spot.

“We study every position every week,” says Nick Saban. “If guys want stability in their place, they have to play well. That is known to all of us on the squad. Everyone, in my opinion, has made an effort to advance and positively change. We will be regularly assessing that position, just like we do with every other one.

Buchner’s list of achievements is not very noteworthy. Before coming to Alabama, he played for Notre Dame. With 949 yards, six touchdowns, and eight interceptions, he completed 67 of 118 throws (56.8%). He also gained 459 yards and seven scores on 82 rushes. This past offseason, Tommy Rees left Notre Dame to become the offensive coordinator at Alabama. Buchner joined the Crimson Tide by following his former coach through the transfer gate. Buchner’s shift for the Crimson Tide at center may be made easier by some familiarity between Rees’ and his methods.

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Why would you want to leave South Florida? Saban and the Crimson Tide are running out of time. Alabama’s SEC West rival, Ole Miss, ranked No. 17, will be keen to upset the Crimson Tide in Week 4. Additionally, considering Alabama’s unshakeable expectations of capturing the national championship, a second loss would essentially mean the Crimson Tide will miss the College Football Playoff for a second straight season. Before taking the field against a much more formidable opponent by opening the game against South Florida, Buchner has time to gather experience as the starter.

Furthermore, because Saban will have had more time to think through his options, he will be able to switch quarterbacks once more if Buchner falters against an opponent who is outmatched.

After losing the quarterback competition at the start of the 2023 season, Milroe appears to have been replaced by Buchner in Alabama’s quarterback depth chart. Should Buchner struggle, Saban and the coaching staff will have to determine whether to go back to Milroe or further down the depth chart.

Ty Simpson, a five-star 2022 recruit, would trail Buchner and Milroe. In his five games as a collegiate player, Simpson has not seen much action for the Crimson Tide thus far. He’s completed five of six throws for 40 yards in addition to running twice for 12 yards and a touchdown. Although Simpson can run if needed, his profile is more suited for a pocket passer.