Alabama’s Simpson explains how Saban can help him vs. Georgia

Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Ty Simpson has a good idea of what he can expect from the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday.

Simpson is Alabama’s new starter, and this matchup between the No. 17 Crimson Tide and No. 5 Bulldogs is easily going to be his biggest game to date.

Undefeated Georgia once again have the feel of a College Football Playoff contender, while Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama team is trying to make a big statement with a win. 

It’s not going to be easy for Simpson and the Tide, but the redshirt junior feels he may have an advantage when going up against UGA’s defense. Georgia head coach and defensive guru Kirby Smart is a former Nick Saban assistant, and he runs a scheme similar to what Saban preferred when he was the head coach in Tuscaloosa.

Simpson was the scout team quarterback in his first and second years at Alabama, while Saban was still head coach, so he has a unique perspective on that defensive scheme.

Simpson understands Georgia’s defensive scheme 

“I’ve been going against coach Saban’s defense for two years, and literally, I feel like I’ve seen everything in the book from that guy,” Simpson said, according to Joe Gaither of OnSI. 

Of course, Simpson was clear that he understands that Smart is his own coach who will throw his own wrinkles into the defense. Simpson will also have to contend with the collective minds of co-defensive coordinators Glenn Schumann and Travaris Robinson.

“A lot of respect to those guys. They throw their own twist on everything. So, I just need to be ready, understand my rules, and just don’t make it too big. Just keep it simple, and just play my game,” Simpson said.

The added wrinkle on top of all of this is that this will be Simpson’s first SEC road game as a starting quarterback. There’s also going to be a ton of pressure on DeBoer and the Crimson Tide to win this one. Under Saban, this would be a matchup in which the Tide would not be underdogs. Now, they’re a -3.5 point road dog, according to ESPN Bet.

Georgia is also coming off a bye week, so the Bulldogs will absolutely be prepared to get after Simpson and Alabama’s offense.

“I know them having an off week like us, they’re going to send a lot of stuff we haven’t seen before, and it’ll be difficult,” Simpson said. “I’ve just got to be prepared and know my rules.”