Jake Coker vs. Alec Morris vs. Cooper Bateman: Updates on Alabama QB Battle

With just more than a week until the season opener against Wisconsin, the defending SEC champion Alabama Crimson Tide are reportedly yet to decide on a starting quarterback. 

ESPN’s Brett McMurphy noted Thursday that coach Nick Saban wants two quarterbacks ready and a third on standby for the game against the Badgers among Jake Coker, Alec Morris and Cooper Bateman. Saban even said he may play more than one signal-caller during the contest.

The Crimson Tide have national championship aspirations once again this season after falling short in the initial College Football Playoff, and the eventual decision could put them on the path to that title. The quarterback battle takes on extra magnitude before the first game because Wisconsin is a challenging opponent right out of the gate.

The Badgers reached the Big Ten Championship Game last year and beat Alabama’s archrival Auburn in the Outback Bowl. They can challenge mighty Alabama if the quarterback is not ready to play.

A Sports Illustrated report noted Coker “has been set back as he deals with a toe injury. Coker missed three practices this week, but threw 26 passes in the team’s final fall scrimmage on Saturday.” The report also mentioned Bateman threw a team-high 27 passes in that same scrimmage.

Matt Zenitz of AL.com recently said Morris “may be the most likely of the Tide’s quarterbacks to start against Wisconsin” and pointed to a comment from Saban himself as potential evidence:

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Alec has done a nice job all [preseason]. I think he does a really good job of understanding the offense. He helps the other players play better. And I think that he has probably shown command at the position, which I think is important. We've just got to continue to work on touch, accuracy, efficiency. But I've been really pleased with what Alec has done in this camp.

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Coker was largely seen as the favorite to win the job entering spring practice, but he has not seized the position during preseason practices. The injury problems likely haven't helped either, and Morris apparently did enough to catch the head coach’s eye.

Elsewhere, John Talty of AL.com called Bateman the wild card to win the competition, especially since he split time at wide receiver in spring practice and hasn’t seen the field in any capacity except kick holder in his Alabama career. It is a testament to Bateman's abilities that he is still in the race given his inexperience at the position at the collegiate level.

However, Bateman threw the most passes in the recent scrimmage, and Talty praised the way he operated in the huddle during the two-minute drill. As someone with enough speed to split time at receiver, Bateman can make plays if the pocket breaks down and keep drives alive with his legs, which gives him an advantage in the versatility department.

While the winner of the quarterback battle will be thrown into the bright spotlight that accompanies Alabama football, he also will not have to win the opener against Wisconsin (or the subsequent games) by himself.

Running back Derrick Henry is a potential Heisman Trophy candidate and an absolute bulldozer in the hole. Between Henry and the strong offensive line, the Crimson Tide should control the clock and pick up chunks of yardage all season simply by relying on the rushing attack.

What’s more, the defense finished fourth in the nation in points allowed per game in 2014 and should be strong once again this season.

Alabama’s quarterback (or quarterbacks if Saban truly does play two) doesn’t necessarily have to be the star against Wisconsin. As long as he keeps the Crimson Tide within striking distance, the rest of the loaded squad can take care of the rest.