’Bama QB situation still mystery
Nick Saban is keeping Alabama’s quarterback situation shrouded in as much mystery as possible.
The second-ranked Crimson Tide’s coach said Monday that no decision has been made on whether Jake Coker or Blake Sims would start Saturday against West Virginia in Atlanta, or if both would play.
Saban did employ a baseball analogy involving Yankees manager and friend Joe Girardi to indicate that the starter won’t be guaranteed of going the distance whatever the plan going into the game.
“I mean, Joe Girardi tells (Masahiro) Tanaka he’s starting in the game, he’s not telling him he’s going to pitch nine innings,” Saban said. “Does he tell them that or does he just pitch until he doesn’t pitch well anymore?”
Of course, the goal is not to need a bullpen as the season progresses.
Coker and Sims are vying to replace Heisman Trophy runner-up AJ McCarron, who went through a similar situation in 2011. McCarron started the opener against Kent State and alternated every few series with Phillip Sims.
Both were intercepted twice in the first game but McCarron was awarded the starting job the next game against Penn State, and wound up helping the Tide win the next two national titles.
That’s the big question facing new Alabama quarterbacks these days: Can he lead the Tide to the title?
QB battle for starting position at North Carolina: North Carolina coach Larry Fedora isn’t ready to name a starting quarterback for the No. 23 Tar Heels.
Fedora said Monday the coaches haven’t decided whether junior Marquise Williams or redshirt freshman Mitch Trubisky will start against Liberty in Saturday night’s opener. Fedora says both have taken first-team reps during preseason camp, and he hasn’t publicly committed to a deadline for naming a starter.
FSU top receiver suspended: Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher declined to confirm whether or not suspended receiver Jesus “Bobo” Wilson is eligible to play in the season-opener against Oklahoma State.
Wilson has been suspended since being arrested and charged in the theft of a motor scooter in July. The sophomore pleaded no contest to two misdemeanors.