Jake Coker's Upside Is Obvious in Week 2, but He Is Still Not Ready

Jake Coker will be Alabama's starting quarterback. It's just a matter of "when."

The much-discussed transfer from Florida State finally got meaningful snaps in Alabama's 41-0 win over Florida Atlantic on Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa.

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Splitting time with starter Blake Sims, Coker completed 15 of 24 passes for 202 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.

Sims, a senior who is familiar with what head coach Nick Saban wants to do, completed 11 of 13 passes for 214 yards, two touchdowns and no picks.

Is it fair to compare statistics between the two signal-callers?

Not at all.

Measuring how each grasps the game is more important.

Alabama's coaches know that Sims can manage a game successfully, and most of his completions were short passes where the receivers broke free for yards after the catch.

It was clear from Coker's appearance and, more importantly, the game offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin called for him, that the staff wants to find out what Coker can do that Sims can't, specifically consistently stretch the field. 

The verdict?

The jury is still out. 

Coker overthrew a couple of deep passes early and forced some throws into double coverage, but then tossed a touchdown pass to fullback Jalston Fowler and threaded the needle through two defenders to tight end Ty Flournoy-Smith down near the goal line that went off of Flournoy-Smith's fingertips as the rain began to come down.

ESPN.com insider Travis Haney puts Coker's performance against the Owls into perspective.

It's clear that Coker has the potential and is Alabama's quarterback of the future, but the future isn't now. This is Sims' job because he is smart with the football and delivers the ball on time and on target. He also has the added benefit of athleticism not only to be a threat as a runner, but to create time behind the line of scrimmage while keeping his eyes downfield.

Sims is a winner. He did it last week against West Virginia and did it again on Saturday afternoon. If Alabama plays defense like it did against the Owls, that may be enough for the Crimson Tide to remain a contender for the College Football Playoff.

If, however, Coker can prove to the staff that he can do the same while also providing the deep threat that Sims lacks, he's going to be the guy.

When will that be?

Saban was reluctant to name a starter after the game.

It could be next week against Southern Miss, or it could be next year after Sims graduates.

Coker has the potential but just has to click. With Sims moving the offense and Coker still struggling with inconsistencies, the latter's time isn't now.

Barrett Sallee is the lead SEC college football writer and video analyst for Bleacher Report and co-host of the CFB Hangover on Bleacher Report Radio (Sundays 9-11 a.m. ET) on Sirius 93, XM 208. Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. All stats are courtesy of CFBStats.com, and all recruiting information is courtesy of 247Sports.

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