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Alabama’s quarterback competitors took one other bitter flip throughout a 17-3 win on the street at South Florida on Saturday.

Jalen Milroe, the Crimson Tide’s starter by way of the primary two video games of the season, was benched after throwing two interceptions in a loss to Texas final week and did not take a single snap on the street in Tampa.

Tyler Buchner, who transferred from Notre Dame following spring follow, bought the beginning and struggled, finishing simply 5 of 14 cross makes an attempt for 34 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions earlier than he was pulled.

Redshirt freshman Ty Simpson got here on in reduction of Buchner and performed the remainder of the sport, finishing 5 of 9 cross makes an attempt for 73 yards. He scored a 1-yard landing however was sacked 5 occasions.

After the sport, Alabama coach Nick Saban tried to preempt questions concerning the place.

“I do know you are going to ask concerning the quarterbacks,” he informed reporters. “We’ll consider the quarterbacks that performed at this time and consider Jalen Milroe when it comes to how he performed and determine this week who offers us the very best alternative to achieve success as an offensive workforce. And that is the way in which we’ll go.”

Pressed for extra particulars about what went into the choice to play Buchner and Simpson, Saban mentioned it was an “inner” determination.

“Everyone has the chance to reply in the best means when issues do not go such as you need them to,” Saban added. “And we play the fellows that follow the very best all week lengthy.”

Saban informed ESPN through the recreation that Simpson, a former four-star prospect, had the very best week of follow.

“I assumed he did OK,” Saban mentioned. “Made a pair actually good throws. Missed a pair big-play throws. … I assumed he performed effectively, managed the sport effectively.”

Saban mentioned it wasn’t Simpson’s fault he was beneath a lot strain from the protection. He was requested concerning the play of the offensive line and responded with a query of his personal: “What number of sacks did they’ve at this time?”

The reply: 5.

“Primarily based on that, I would not consider it very effectively,” Saban mentioned. “A few of them had been psychological errors. We knew they had been on a strain lot. They bought a very good strain package deal. We tousled the protections a number of occasions. We bought beat a pair occasions.

“So we have to get that mounted as a result of that is been an space that has been a constant drawback for us all 12 months — final week with the sacs this week with the sacs. And people are drive killers and we bought to eradicate that.”

Regardless of the offensive struggles, Saban tried to strike an optimistic tone. He mentioned he was happy with the way in which the workforce competed throughout a hard-fought recreation on the street that featured an hour-long lightning delay. He famous that there was adversity, together with beginning guard Tyler Booker being sidelined by again spasms, however appreciated the way in which they “stored answering the bell.”

“We did not execute nice, so I do not be ok with that,” Saban mentioned. “However the way in which we competed within the recreation, I assumed, was excellent.”

Alabama (2-1) will open SEC play at house in opposition to Ole Miss on Saturday.