Jalen Milroe, Alabama peaking at just the right time after slow start

When Jalen Milroe started the season at quarterback for Alabama, many fans were unsure of how he'd do. After all, following four NFL starting quarterbacks in Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones and Bryce Young is no easy feat.

Some fans' worst fears seemed to be coming true before their eyes in the Tide's early loss against Texas, a game in which Milroe threw two interceptions. After other quarterbacks got a shot in a lackluster effort against South Florida the next week, Milroe was named the starter, and the typically lofty expectations for the Tide took a nosedive.

But it's November now, and Milroe has improved each week for the No. 8 Crimson Tide (8-1, 6-0 SEC) as Alabama remains in the hunt for yet another title.

And unlike some past quarterbacks under head coach Nick Saban, Milroe isn't just a game manager. Instead, his electric running skills and deep-ball threat have made him into a weapon that opposing teams can't ignore. 

Just ask Urban Meyer, who lavished praise on Milroe in his show "Urban’s Take with Tim May" after Milroe's four-score performance in a 42-28 win over LSU.

"Right now the Reggie Bush, Percy Harvin of college football is playing quarterback for Alabama,” Meyer said. “And they’re running him. He had 130 yards rushing. 20-some, 25 carries. There’s a couple clips on that video tape where he’s, other than Marvin Harrison, he’s the best athlete in college football and he’s touching the ball every snap for Alabama.”

Many are praising Saban for the rapid improvement shown by Milroe and the rest of the squad, something he addressed before the LSU game. He demurred, instead crediting the coaching staff and the players for their willingness to get better.

"These guys have shown tremendous resiliency to keep working, to improve ... It's resulted in a team that's consistently improved throughout the year, and we've just got to keep doing that," he said in a news conference.