On Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Lexington, Kentucky, during an NCAA college football game between Alabama and Kentucky, offensive lineman Tyler Booker (52) and quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) celebrate a touchdown. (Photo by Michele Haas Hutchins for AP)
On Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in State College, Pennsylvania, following an NCAA college football game, Michigan acting head coach Sherrone Moore celebrates a 24–15 victory over Penn State. (Photo by Barry Reeger/AP)
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The Alabama Football in Kentucky
On Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Lexington, Kentucky, during an NCAA college football game between Alabama and Kentucky, offensive lineman Tyler Booker (52) and quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) celebrate a touchdown. (Photo by Michele Haas Hutchins for AP)CONNECTED PRESSExtra in this piece:
Last week, Milroe and LSU’s Jayden Daniels shared the spotlight, but on Saturday, No. 8 Alabama easily defeated Kentucky, with Milroe taking center stage. Three of Milroe’s six touchdowns came via the air, and the other three came from the ground. No Alabama player had ever done that before.
With two games remaining in the regular season, the Tide have secured the SEC West, and Alabama is undoubtedly a contender for a seventh national championship under head coach Nick Saban.
“This team has made significant progress,” stated head coach Nick Saban, who secured his tenth trip to the SEC championship game with Alabama. “Many players have improved significantly and have paid attention to the coaches.”
None more so than Milroe, who early in the season appeared to be a liability due to his lack of a mid-range game and tendency to make mistakes. Milroe is gifted as a deep passer and powerful and explosive runner.
Milroe’s strengths have been leveraged by the offense. In terms of passer efficiency rating, he started the day ranked eighth in the nation. Milroe has 12 touchdown runs and 16 touchdown passes after destroying the Wildcats.
No, he’s not quite Heisman contender material. When compared to other elite quarterbacks like Michael Penix Jr. of Washington, Jordan Travis of Florida State, Bo Nix of Oregon, or Daniels of LSU, the stats and general consistency don’t add up.
Though one could argue that Milroe shouldn’t be in the Heisman discussion if Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy is—something Michigan supporters undoubtedly want to see happen.
