Alabama’s loss at Vanderbilt last week hasn’t tarnished Jalen Milroe’s reputation among national analysts.

The Commodores dominated the time of possession in last week’s 40-35 upset of the Crimson Tide, but Milroe still managed to pass for 310 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for a score. That performance coming on the heels of a 491-total yard, four-touchdown outing vs. Georgia led ESPN’s Jesse Palmer to assert that Milroe takes a backseat to no one.

“In my opinion, he’s been the best quarterback in the country these last two games,” said Palmer, a former Florida and NFL quarterback. “He’s no longer just the best athlete on the field playing the quarterback position. But you’ve seen him in the last two games that really start to master the intricacies of playing the position. … He’s making a strong case to be the first overall pick of the NFL draft.”

As Palmer noted, Alabama is facing one of the top pass defenses in the country on Saturday in South Carolina, which is 12th nationally in pass efficiency defense. The Gamecocks have allowed just four touchdown passes in five games, while totaling 15 sacks and six interceptions.

“It’s critical that (Alabama’s) defense give (Milroe) the football and give him snaps in this game so he can go to work,” Palmer said. “… South Carolina’s pass defense, they have to be lights out. They’re only allowing 54% completion right now, best in the SEC. … One thing I’ll say, watching Jalen Milroe on film this year, if you hit him early and you register some sacks early in games, his eyes do come down.”

Alabama (4-1, 1-1 SEC) hosts South Carolina (3-2, 1-2) at 11 a.m. at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The game will be broadcast live by ABC.