Ask Saban? Alabama starting QB nervous about facing FSU in Doak Campbell Stadium?

Alabama is a massive betting favorite going into the 2025 season opener on the road against Florida State. The Crimson Tide has been nearly two-touchdown betting favorites all summer. However, more and more questions seem to become clearer for Alabama as we get closer to kickoff.

Alabama’s starting running back, defensive tackle, and offensive lineman will miss the season opener due to injuries. On top of that, Alabama will start an inexperienced redshirt junior quarterback, Ty Simpson, on the road for the first time. He’s only attempted 50 passes in his college career and will have a new offensive coordinator.

Doak Campbell Stadium will be rocking with 70,000-plus fans, hungry for any semblance of success after only winning two games a year ago. It’ll be his first start in a new offense, against a defense that will give tons of varied looks. I find it interesting that he admitted to something this week, leading up to the game:

I get it, he has access to one of the greatest college coaches of all time, so why not ask questions? However, to ask those questions made me curious just how prepared he’ll be when the game starts. Will the nerves get to him early at the first hint of adversity? I’ve said it all along, Alabama will try their best to protect him by running the ball, and likely strategically using him in parts of it.

FSU defensive coordinator Tony White will look to take the running back away and force Simpson to put the ball in the air. What if he throws an interception or fumbles in the pocket? He might be afraid to pull the trigger on a tight window throw. He doesn’t sound like the most confident guy. Sure, he’s talented, but he’s going against one of the better defensive coordinators in the country, who has had an entire offseason to prepare. We’ll find out what’s what in a couple of days, but I wouldn’t want my quarterback asking these types of questions a few days before kickoff.