BATTLE OF THE QUARTERBACKS...      

    

This year's Iron Bowl might very well end up being a  Mac Jones versus Bo Nix type thing. I don't know if Mac Jones will win the Heisman Trophy this season. I know Bo Nix won't. Alabama fans, at least some Alabama fans, ushered in the season, believing that Bryce Young would be the starter after a couple of games. Meanwhile, down on the Farm, Auburn fans were adamant about Nix winning the Heisman. Nix is a good quarterback.  Mac is a great quarterback. If you had half a brain and remembered how well Jones played after Tua was hurt, you had to believe he'd be the Alabama quarterback.   For Nix, it was more like a coronation. The King has arrived. The New York Athletic Club in New York awaits. All the other quarterbacks left. Some in disgust over what they thought was unfair competition. Whether those rumors are true or not, Nix got the job. Good, bad, or indifferent, Nix had the job.

    Mac just kept his mouth shut and worked his tail off to get to where get us today. People like to point out that Jones has the benefit of some great players around him. That's true. But I'd like to point out those players are lucky to have Jones as their quarterback. Alabama has a steady hand behind the center, and he will likely rise to the occasion today.  Nix has had a plethora of problems on the road this year. He's not at home. All of his poor games have been on the road. All of his interceptions have come on the road. He hasn't been a road warrior, but he is good enough to beat Alabama if the defense doesn't play a good game. If the Tide defense plays a great game, Alabama will beat Nix and the Tigers. 

       Here's what strikes me odd about the pair. Nix has started more games than Jones. The high school phenom from Pinson High School currently has a QB rating of 71.7.  Mac Jones, a good high school prospect, was not heralded, to say the least. His current QB rating is 95.7, and that is a huge difference. Nix and Malzhan will use trickery. They will have to do that to be competitive.  I'm not sure what Sarkazian might try on offense. My best hunch is that the Tide will stick to their tried and true. 

     In the long run, Nix will have to beat Alabama. I'm assuming all questionable players will be on the field. Auburn is a good team. Alabama is a great team. Nix is a good quarterback. Jones is a great one. I'm picking Jones to carry the Tide.