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It might effectively be among the many marquee quarterback matchups of the season: Alabama’s Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young vs. Tennessee’s personal rising candidate, rising star Hendon Hooker.
Or it might be Jalen Milroe and Hooker as an alternative.
Young’s sprained proper shoulder was being re-evaluated on Monday, however coach Nick Saban was cautiously optimistic about his standing for the third-ranked Crimson Tide’s sport Saturday at No. 6 Tennessee.
“Hopefully we’re going to try to get him ready to play this week, but this is something that, you know, nobody can predict how quickly this is going to give him an opportunity to go out and be able to do what he needs to do,” Saban stated. “And we’ll see as the week progresses, but I don’t have an update much more than that.”
Young hasn’t performed since early within the second quarter towards Arkansas. Jalen Milroe took over the remainder of the best way in that sport and began in Alabama’s mistake-filled, 24-20 win over Texas A&M that got here all the way down to a goal-line stand.
Hooker, in the meantime, has put up Young-like numbers for probably the most prolific offenses within the nation. He has accomplished 70% of his passes for 1,432 yards and 10 touchdowns with out throwing an interception and has handed Young within the midseason Heisman Trophy odds, in keeping with FanDuel Sportsbook.
“Hooker has really done a nice job of executing their offense,” Saban stated. “He’s one of the leading pass efficiency guys in the country as well as has the ability to extend plays and make plays with his feet.”
Young has handed for 1,202 yards, finishing 67.2% with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. The Tide offense hasn’t been the identical with out him, regardless of Milroe’s big-play flashes.
Alabama is simply 68th nationally in go offense whereas rating behind solely Air Force and Army in working the ball.
Hooker and Young each attended the Manning Academy over the summer season.
“Awesome player. Very electric. Love to see him play,” Hooker stated. “We spent some time at the Manning Academy and chopped it up a little bit. Really just had a good time, a genuine time of enjoying everyone that was there and just having general conversation.”
Milroe turned in an uneven efficiency towards the Aggies, shedding two fumbles and getting intercepted as soon as towards the Aggies. He accomplished 12 of 19 passes for 111 yards and ran 17 instances for an additional 83.
“I just think Jalen played with a lot of anxiety,” Saban stated. “I don’t think he allowed himself to let his training sort of guide him and trust and believe in it so that he could have success in executing plays. You can’t turn the ball over and not execute plays like they’re designed.”
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel referred to as Milroe “athletic, dynamic with the ball in his hands.”
This will likely be Milroe’s first time inside Neyland Stadium, however he’s watched sufficient video games on TV to know the surroundings on this conventional rivalry sport will likely be “crazy.”
“I watch football. I’m a huge football fan,” Milroe stated after the Texas A&M sport. “Growing up, I watched college football. I never experienced a Tennessee football game, but I watch football a lot, and I see the atmosphere. And I know it’s going to be crazy.”
___ AP Sports Writer Teresa Walker contributed to this report.
___
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