Repeatedly over history, the fan favorite is the 2nd string QB.
Very occasionally (Tua in the second half of 2017), that faith is justified. Most often, when we finally see the 2nd string guy in something other than mop-up time, we come to understand why he’s 2nd string.
Milroe has great talent. I seriously doubt that he has the ability to read defenses, change plays, make clutch throws under pressure, and inspire true confidence…..yet. Sentiments coming from people who have a history of accurate information indicate that he’ll get there. But give the guy a break…he was playing HS ball last year.
I’m reminded of this time last year when many were convinced that Bryce Young could be starting by the end of fall camp, and it was a foregone conclusion that Mac would be riding the pine by mid-season. Talk about something that didn’t age well.
Barring injury, I fully expect Bryce Young to be the unquestioned starter through the season. Saban‘s history is that he doesn’t play QB2 much beyond mop-up time, and I think that’s primarily to preserve the health of QB1, and only secondarily to give reps to QB2.
Put it this way….if Milroe becomes the starter, there’s a problem. Either Young got hurt, or he performed so badly that there was no choice but to replace him with a true freshman (Blake Barnett in 2016). Let’s hope Young remains in the driver’s seat.