re: How did we get so little out of Jalen Hurts?

Hurts progress is a puzzle to me. I think he is a football guy and the kind of teammate that is successful with a good team. Reminds me some of Bart Star's success. He did look great in his last game. Very happy everything came together for him.

He had a lot of growing to do and good defense to lean on. I think his biggest jump was behind Tua, being able to come in with a comfortable lead and not too scared to make a mistake. After losing the starting job to Tua, he made a great decision to go to OU.

I honestly think that at some point about midway through his first season as our starter, Saban must have called him into his office and told him, "Look, son, our defense is absolutely incredible. You're doing a great job as our QB, but honestly, the offense's only job this year is to not screw anything up. So, when we have the ball, I'm not going to get mad at you if we don't score. shite, I won't really care if we go three and out. Chuck the ball into the stands, run out of bounds for no gain - it doesn't matter. The defense will stop them and then you'll get another chance to try again. But if you turn the ball over, I will disappear you and your entire family."