Being the subject of speculation regarding potential NCAA violations isn’t the only thing Alabama has in common with bitter in-state rival Auburn.
Much like the Tigers and their spring exit with no clear front-runner at the quarterback position, the Tide put the finishing touches on their 15 spring sessions with no clearcut leader to replace Greg McElroy under center.
Shortly after the unveiling of Nick Saban‘s nine-foot statue -- or 2x the actual size of the subject -- on the school’s Walk of Champions, the head coach got down to the business of overseeing his charges in the annual A-Day game. Along with 93,000 of his closest friends, Saban watched as AJ McCarron and Phillip Sims replicated what they’ve done throughout the spring: failing to put any separation between themselves and the other in the race to become the Tide’s starting QB.
Statistically, the two were nearly identical on the day: Sims completed 19-of-38 passes for 229 yards and an interception, while McCarron was 21 of 38 for 222 yards and an interception. The latter threw the lone touchdown of the two.
Following the glorified scrimmage, Saban gave no indication that either QB is the front-runner while simultaneously praising both.
“I thought both the quarterbacks showed some promise in terms of making good decisions,” Saban said. “Both threw a pick that probably wasn’t a good thing, but all in all I thought they did a really good job of managing the game. We didn’t have a lot of issues. They both showed they have some ability to play the position, and play winning football at that position.”
In other words, it will be at some point in August -- possibly very late that month -- before Saban’s ready to pull the trigger and name a starter.