Alabama requires Jalen Milroe to channel Bryce Young’s impressive game strategy more than it needs Nick Saban to return as head coach.

We need to stop perpetuating the myth that Alabama’s dominance vanished the moment Saban stepped down. That’s a distorted view of reality. The Tide’s formidable reputation began to fade long before Saban officially retired in January.

Changes in NCAA regulations prior to the 2021 season allowed players to transfer without restrictions and start receiving financial support from boosters. As a result, the Alabama powerhouse was no longer as untouchable. Texas A&M, Tennessee, and even Vanderbilt started giving Alabama serious challenges.

Bryce Young’s brilliance led Alabama to its last title game

Let’s rewind to a humid day at The Swamp over three years ago, when an average Florida team, led by quarterback Emory Jones, nearly knocked off Alabama. The Tide squeaked through with a narrow 31-29 victory by stopping a 2-point conversion just short of the end zone.

That season, Alabama reached the national championship game even though the team was one of Saban’s least disciplined and incomplete, as it ranked among the most penalized teams. They faced challenges from mediocre opponents like Florida, LSU, Arkansas, and Auburn, and were even upset by Texas A&M.

So how did Alabama make it to the championship? Bryce Young provided extraordinary play. He filled in the gaps. The Heisman Trophy winner kept the team afloat.

This year’s Alabama team needs similar finesse because, just like the 2021 Tide, they lack the solid defense that characterized Saban’s glory days.

As for discipline? That aspect has long disappeared from this team, resulting in a slew of penalties over recent seasons.

In the long run, Coach Kalen DeBoer needs to restore the defensive intensity that has waned in the later years of Saban’s tenure, while also reinstating disciplined football in Tuscaloosa.

However, that transformation won’t occur immediately, and any improvements made this season will hardly be enough to salvage it.

Saban handed DeBoer a less formidable defense than usual, particularly in the secondary, which teams like Georgia, Vanderbilt, and South Carolina have taken advantage of. Alabama’s pass defense ranks in the middle of the SEC, and the pass rush is not remarkable either.

Saban foresaw these issues, predicting in July that Alabama would miss the playoffs due to defensive shortcomings.

Fortunately, Saban also gifted DeBoer with the immensely talented Milroe, who has the potential to earn his own Heisman Trophy.

For No. 7 Alabama to reach the playoffs, Milroe must step up, taking charge of the team just like Young did three years ago.

Milroe dazzled during Alabama’s 41-34 win against Georgia, showcasing precise accuracy, sound decision-making, dismantling Georgia’s defense, and generating nearly 500 yards of offense.

Once known for elite defense, Alabama now relies on Jalen Milroe

In games against Vanderbilt and South Carolina, Milroe played decently, but he didn’t exhibit any extraordinary skill, accumulating four turnovers and a safety-inducing grounding penalty against the Gamecocks.

This Alabama team will likely need the quarterbacking brilliance Milroe displayed against Georgia as they prepare to face No. 10 Tennessee in a rivalry game that holds significant playoff implications.

The losing team will find itself in a precarious position, unable to afford another loss, while the winner will be discussed in playoff considerations the following day.

Interestingly, Tennessee now boasts a tougher defense than Alabama, but the Tide retains a slight advantage due to its superior quarterback.

Saban cultivated a dynasty built on toughness, yet by the end of his tenure, Alabama’s quarterbacks had become the focal point, accompanied by a side of inconsistency.

“Tennessee’s coach Josh Heupel noted how crucial the play starts with their quarterback.” As he evaluated the Tide, he praised Milroe extensively.

Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava may eventually fulfill his five-star recruit potential, but that milestone hasn’t been reached yet. He trails behind Milroe in terms of dynamism and polish.

Like Young at Alabama, Iamaleava faced massive expectations when he arrived at Tennessee as the top-rated recruit. However, during his initial year as the starter, he hasn’t progressed as rapidly as Young did in his first year in Alabama.

“He’s talented. You can see the potential there,” DeBoer stated regarding Tennessee’s young quarterback. “However, he still has room for growth and improvement. We need to ensure we disrupt him.”

Additionally, it’s important to prevent Tennessee’s run game from dominating, as they perform best with the ball in hand of running back Dylan Sampson.

Last Saturday, Florida’s strategy hinged on making Iamaleava the focal point, which paid off when he committed two turnovers. Don’t assign blame to the Gators’ defense for their 23-17 overtime defeat.

And don’t hold DeBoer accountable for the end of Alabama’s reign. The Tide’s era of dominance concluded years ago, amid the transformative offseason of 2021.

While Alabama still possesses superior talent compared to many, the gap has significantly narrowed since 2020, the year they claimed their last national championship.

During much of Saban’s time, the competition was quite uneven.

Now that the competition is more even, having a quarterback who can escape tough situations would be beneficial. Milroe has the skills to perform such impressive feats.