Nick Saban like the “spirit” of this Alabama football team. He’ll get to introduce it to the public during A-Day. It’s not exactly Week 1 against Middle Tennessee, but it’s technically game week in Tuscaloosa. Here’s what to know about the annual scrimmage.

KEY POINTS

• WHEN: 2:00 p.m. CDT Saturday
• WHERE: Bryant-Denny Stadium
• ADMISSION: Free
• TV: SEC Network+

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THIS GAME WILL DETERMINE

For fans: The first taste of Alabama football since it won the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Eve. For the program: The last benchmark for the 15-practice evaluation period. Alabama won’t be fielding a finished product this weekend, but the core structure of the 2023 Tide should be on display as Team Crimson and White face off.

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

1. The Quarterbacks: For the first time since 2018, arguably 2016, Alabama’s offense didn’t have an outright No. 1 starting quarterback heading into the spring. We still don’t know who’ll take the majority of first-team snaps this fall between Jalen Milroe or Ty Simpson. Milroe, who appeared in eight games last fall in relief of Bryce Young, is expected to get the “starting” nod against the first-team defense this weekend with Simpson will face the second-team unit. Saban has talked about the “moments” and “progress” both have had and a productive day with zero turnovers could be an important step in either’s odds of winning the starting job.

2. The rest of the offense: While most fans will be tuned in for the QBs, it’s important to note that the supporting cast will also be slightly altered from the one Young had last fall. Of the Tide’s six-leading receivers, three are no longer with the program. Of the five starting linemen from Week 1, three will be replaced. Establishing a consistent weapon in the passing game and keeping Young upright were issues at times last year. Is a more balanced game plan the answer? With an impressive group of running backs and physical tight ends the potential strengths of the roster, Saturday can give a glimpse of what Alabama has planned for future opponents.

3. The Freshmen: A couple of mid-year enrollees have earned some praise this spring. Safety Caleb Downs and running back Justice Haynes were cornerstones of the No. 1-ranked 2023 class and will get to show how their five-star designations translate to the field. Malik Benson will also make his debut at wide receiver. And Alabama’s two youngest quarterbacks, Eli Holstein and Dylan Lonergan, will have a chance to compete in front of a crowd.

KEY MATCHUP

Defensive front versus offensive line

A few expected contributors to Alabama’s defense will be sidelined as Dallas Turner and Deontae Lawson will be out with injuries. In late March, Saban said Justin Eboigbe likely won’t “be involved in the scrimmage at all.” In their place, a few underclassmen options can figure to get some playing time. Redshirt freshman Jeremiah Alexander, sophomore Jihaad Campbell and freshman Qua Russaw will have opportunities against a changing offensive line with five freshmen potentially rotating in.

BY THE NUMBERS

9 — It’s been nine years since Kevin Steele manned a sideline in Bryant-Denny Stadium as an Alabama coach. UA’s former linebacker’s coach and defensive coordinator, Steele is a veteran replacement for Pete Golding, who was hired at Ole Miss. Steele will be facing fellow new coordinator Tommy Rees as the latter seeks to build a more well-balanced Tide offense.

BAMA PLAYER TO WATCH

Junior offensive tackle JC Latham seems like the likely choice to shift over to the left side after starting all 13 games at right tackle a year ago. Tyler Steen’s presence and eventual transfer loomed last spring and there could be a transfer portal option to bolster Alabama’s depth (though they can’t be from the SEC due to new rules). At times last fall, Latham showed he can anchor one side of the line. The 6-foot-6, 335-pounder from Wisconsin will get a shot against Chris Braswell, if he’s active, and a few young pass rushers.

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].