Nick Saban executed his plan. During his radio show on Thursday, he said he had told Alabama football’s eventual starting quarterback that he wanted said QB to play well enough that he could get looks at others in the group.

Jalen Milroe got the start. After the Crimson Tide took a 42-0 lead with 10:25 remaining in the third quarter, Saban went to the bullpen.

“A guy’s gotta understand that the way he performs is really, really important,” Saban said Thursday on the show. “All three guys have made significant improvements. Would like to play more than one guy in the game. I’ve told the guy who’s going to start the game, we want you to play well enough so we have an opportunity to play all the guys at the position because that’s important for us.”

Milroe would appear to have done enough to hang onto the starting job. He threw for three touchdowns and ran for another two, and looked sharp overall throughout his time on the field, finishing 13-for-18 passing for 194 yards, along with 48 rushing yards on seven attempts.

Toward the end of the first half and on Alabama’s first drive of the second, Milroe dropped a 47-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond, followed with a 48-yarder to Jermaine Burton. Both throws were delivered perfectly, leading the receivers in-stride to the end zone.

After turnovers were a huge concern for Milroe last season, he assuaged any anxieties by going without any fumbles or interceptions against MTSU.

He was replaced by Tyler Buchner, who transferred into Alabama from Notre Dame after spring practice, following his former offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.

Milroe’s status as starter was first reported by ESPN on Friday. However, on the depth chart distributed in the press box before the game, he was listed as an “OR” in the starting lineup, along with Buchner, Ty Simpson and Dylan Lonergan.

More: Alabama football’s depth chart is here. See where players stand before MTSU game