Ingram on Alabama QB change: ‘This is an overreaction’

Ingram on Alabama QB change: ‘This is an overreaction’

Alabama is reportedly set to make a quarterback switch for Saturday’s game at South Florida, and one former Crimson Tide Heisman Trophy winner isn’t totally on board.

During Saturday’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show on Fox, analyst Mark Ingram was asked to weigh in on the switch from Jalen Milroe to Tyler Buchner following a 34-24 loss to Texas last Saturday. While Ingram said he still trusts Alabama coach Nick Saban “to make the right decision for the team,” he didn’t totally understand the reason for the change.

RELATED: What to know about Alabama football quarterback Tyler Buchner before USF game

“I think this is an overreaction,” said Ingram, who won the 2009 Heisman Trophy at Alabama and later played running back for 14 seasons in the NFL. “There was a lot more glaring issues than just the quarterback play. They dropped (Milroe) back (to pass) 39 times. Did they think they have Brady Quinn back there, you know what I mean? Utilize his skillset, move the pocket, let him roll, let him utilize his playmaking abilities, which he showed several times in that game.”

Ingram then ticked off all Alabama’s other various problems that surfaced during the Texas game.

“But let me tell you, on defense, they allowed six plays of over 30-plus yards and two touchdowns,” Ingram said. “They lost by 10 points, and they had no sacks. (Texas quarterback) Quinn Ewers is just back there wheeling and dealing. … Then they had 10 penalties for 90 yards and two of those penalties, they call back touchdowns. So I think there’s a lot more glaring issues than just a quarterback play that Alabama needs to address.

“Now, I trust in ‘Saint Nick,’ he’s there every day. I’m not there every day. So I trust him to make the right decision for the team and the program. But I do think this is an overreaction for Jalen Milroe.”

Quinn, the former Notre Dame and NFL quarterback and one of Ingram’s Fox co-hosts, also gave his opinion on the change. He said he understood the move, particularly because Buchner has experience playing under new Alabama offensive coordinator Tommy Rees the last two years with the Fighting Irish.

“I’m not going to call it an overreaction, but … we understand this when you play quarterback … thing aren’t going right, that you’re the first person that’s going to get changed,” Quinn said. “You put someone else in there trying to see if we can create a spark and you’re right, whether it’s the defense gives up big plays, the offensive line, the five sacks, the pressure, everything else that goes along with it.

“The reality is, though, I think there were some missed opportunities and I think Nick Saban feels like this Alabama team in what looks to be a weak SEC West right now still has a legitimate shot. All their goals are out there in front of them. Get the right guy behind center, and there’s a reason why they want to get a quarterback back there in Tyler Buchner. He knows Tommy Rees’ system. I think he can distribute the football better and he’s still got that athletic component where he can extend plays and do some things with his feet.”

Quinn added that he wouldn’t be surprised to see both Buchner and Milroe play vs. South Florida.

“Jalen Milroe is still going to get a package,” Quinn said. “He’s going to play in this game. He’s too dynamic of a playmaker. I wouldn’t be shocked to see both of them.”

Here’s full video of the exchange:

Alabama and South Florida kick off at 2:30 p.m. on ABC.