Alabama lost because they didn't have a QB. How did Saban let that happen?
I don't know if this was a rhetorical question or not, but let me pretend like it wasn't and try to answer it, I'm not a fanatic Alabama fan like I am with the Pats, but I follow them (they are just up the road from me). I think that Saban was trying to adapt to the times this year, just like BB does so frequently.
Saban has always emphasized game control and not turning the ball over. Thus, he has gravitated toward "ball control" type of smart quarterbacks that don't turn the ball over. A.J. McCarron (now with the Bengals), then little regarded (but experienced, being a fifth year seniors I believe) Black Sims and Jake Coker.
This year, Saban really had a plethora of riches at QB. 4-star Junior Cooper Bateman was the 3rd ranked pocket passer (PP) coming out of high school. 4-star sophomore David Cornwall was the 4th ranked PP the next year. And, Saban's recruiting triumph, 5-star redshirt freshman Blake Barnett, the #1 ranked PP coming out that year, and universally considered a future star. All of this talent was in the mix for QB this year for Alabama, and the battle was considered to be between the experienced Bateman and the superstar-to-be Barnett. Just a bunch of QB talent, albeit inexperienced.
Hardly anyone noticed this unheralded (13 ranked dual threat passer) 17 year old true freshman who enrolled early last spring. Son of a coach. Unbelievably mature and poised. Unusually strong, a regional finalist at powerlifting and district champion in shot putt (normally the type of thing giant linemen do). He started raising eyebrows when he played Deshaun Watson for the scout team before last year's championship and the first team defense couldn't consistently stop him. The rest is history, Saban shocked everybody (including me) by starting a true freshman over all of those other talented QB's on his roster.
Hurts didn't have a great game throwing (compared to most of his games this year), but let's not lose sight that this is a guy who turned 18 last August playing in the National Championship game. I would argue he did what Saban wanted him to: he didn't turn the ball over (heck, it seemed like half of his passes were throw aways to avoid a sack or interception). Clemson (and Washington in the previous game) are known for creating turnovers and interceptions and I think Saban shorted the lease significantly for Hurts in both games. And, he passed for 133 yards and a TD and ran for 63 yards and a TD, which would have won the game against most opponents with Alabama's running game.
In another couple of years I actually think that Hurts is going to be a Heisman trophy candidate, I think he could be really, really good. Kind of like a smaller but more poised and mature version of Cam Newton, I make the comparison because of running ability, arm strength, and overall body strength.
