When Kalen DeBoer named Ty Simpson as Alabama football’s starting quarterback on Monday, weeks before the Crimson Tide is scheduled to open the season, it was an unfamiliar feeling in Tuscaloosa. Jalen Milroe was the unquestioned starter entering DeBoer’s first year in charge, and Nick Saban wasn’t the type to tip his hand early when it came to signal-callers.

Saban would sometimes name a starter for the first game, but make clear that the job was still up for grabs. Occasionally he’d try someone new a few games into the season, or play multiple quarterbacks early in a campaign.

Other years, he’d never name a full-time starter. Why give opponents extra help, even if they almost certainly knew who would be under center?

With Saban holding that attitude, it could be hard to nail down

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